Franklin County Farm Bureau News

By J. Larry Miller

Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau

Rainfall last week and last night is keeping planters on the sidelines and farmers anxious about getting serious about corn planting. I certainly would like to have drier conditions but the cool temperatures are of greater concern. Frost last Friday morning and possible frost on Thursday morning does not allow soils to warm and promote plant growth. An example is yards are not growing as fast because of the cool temperatures. Not that I want to mow more often!

The House of Representatives continued to try to find a way forward on gun issues this week. A bill was introduced earlier this week allowing concealed carry based on permits that may be issued. The amendment stated that applicants would apply for a concealed carry license to their County Sheriff, or if the person lives in Chicago to the Superintendent of Police. The Sheriff or Superintendent then may recommend to the Illinois State Police that the permit be approved if the person meets the requirements of the proposed law. Once approved by the Sheriff or Superintendent, the Illinois State Police then may issue a license to a person meeting the requirements of the proposed law. This amendment was reportedly modeled after New York’s current “may issue” concealed carry legislation and was opposed by the NRA. The bill was called for a vote, but only received 31 yes votes, well below the total needed for passage.

Following the failure of the “may issue” concealed carry legislation, proponents of less restrictive concealed carry legislation introduced an amendment to HB 997. The amendment states that a permit for concealed carry shall be issued if a person meets the requirements of the law, among which include training requirements, a valid FOID card, and no prohibition from owning or possessing a gun under State or Federal law. The bill provides several restrictions on where a person with a concealed carry permit may carry a gun, including not carrying a gun into a courthouse, into a meeting of a unit of local government, into a school without the consent of school authorities, and other restrictions. The fee for a concealed carry license is set by the bill at $100, with the money used to support the Illinois State Police’s administration of the proposed law and to support a Mental Health Reporting Fund to enforce mental health firearms prohibitions. The amendment was supported by the NRA.

Because the amendment to HB 997 preempts home rule, not allowing home rule units of government to regulate concealed carry, the bill needs a supermajority of 71 votes to pass per the Illinois Constitution. The amendment was called for a vote late on Thursday evening, but received only 64 yes votes. A parliamentary procedure was used to place the bill on “postponed consideration”, meaning the bill is still alive and can be called at a later date.

In the Senate there have been negotiations, led by Sen. Raoul and Sen. Bivins, on the issue. It has been reported that details of a possible proposal will be released soon, most likely before next week’s Senate Third Reading deadline.

The issues surrounding concealed carry and gun control issues continue to develop at a rapid pace. Concealed carry and other gun issues will receive more discussion and attention in the weeks to come. IFB continues to express our support for legislation that authorizes concealed carry through an appropriate application process and oppose legislation creating more stringent gun control laws. HB 997 is on Third Reading in the House.  IFB supports HB 997 and other amendments that support firearm rights and opposes those that limit firearm rights.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.