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Smiddy, Verschoore cosponsor concealed carry bill in Springfield
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State Reps. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, and Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, have co-sponsored a bill that could see Illinois join every other state in the nation by allowing the concealed carry of firearms. In December, the state's ban on concealed carry was declared unconstitutional by a three-member panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The justices ordered Illinois to pass a law allowing concealed carry within 180 days. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has asked the full 7th Circuit Court for review, but lawmakers are working on legislation in response to the court order. Reps. Smiddy and Verschoore have co-sponsored House Bill 997 which would allow the concealed carry of handguns, with some restrictions. "For too long, law-abiding citizens have been denied their basic Second Amendment rights because of a vocal and influential minority," Rep. Smiddy said. "This is anopportunity for gun rights advocates to finally play a role in shaping firearms policy in Illinois." The bill would let a permit holder carry a gun -- loaded or unloaded, openly or concealed -- on their person or in a vehicle. Firearms would not be allowed on college campuses or in schools, state and federal buildings, residential mental health facilities and police stations. Rep. Verschoore said more lawmakers will add their names to the bill this week to join the 33 existing cosponsors. He said opposition from Chicago lawmakers that has stymied previous attempts to introduce concealed carry was less likely to succeed because of the court ruling. "Why do 49 other states have this and Illinois doesn't?," Rep. Vershoore said. State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, also supports concealed carry. He said it was in the interest of those who oppose concealed carry to compromise. If they don't do so by the end of the legislature's spring session, the state could be forced to introduce concealed carry without their input. Rep. Smiddy also is one of 15 lawmakers from throughout Illinois appointed to Lt. Gov. Simon's bipartisan firearms working group, which will meet with opponents and proponents of concealed carry as the legislature debates the issue. 
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Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.
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