And now there be 41...

Yes, forty-one (41) Representatives in the Illinois House have signed on as co-sponsors of HB 0148, this year's concealed-carry bill. This bill is likely to come to the floor for a vote by Friday, May 6. Call your State Representative now.

Why do all other states have some form of "carry" law, but not Illinois? Wisconsin doesn't permit concealed carry, but it allows open carry; i.e., you can carry a handgun openly in Wisconsin. But you can't carry "in the open" in a vehicle, because the weapon might be hidden from view. So, know the law!

If you live in McHenry County, call Rep. Jack Franks tomorrow at 815.334.0063 or 217.782.1717. I called this morning and left a message asking 1) for Jack to vote in support of HB 0148 and 2) for a callback with his position on the bill. Maybe they will call back tomorrow.

If Jack gets enough calls, he might change his mind. Or he might wait until the last minute, see which way the wind is blowing and then vote. A "Yes" vote from Jack is needed. Apparently, Jack doesn't want to commit early. He's really against concealed carry but, if he gets enough calls from his voters, he might have to vote for it.

There are others to call, all over northern Illinois. Some of these are the folks who are holding up concealed carry in Illinois, like John D'Amico (15th District), who told one couple that they are the only two people in his district who are for concealed carry. If his district weren't 50 miles away, I'd have gone there today to find voters who would call him and ask him to support this bill.

Know some of these Representatives? Call them, too. Some are already on board; be sure to thank them.

RepublicanMark Beaubein District 52: Wauconda; 847-487-5252
Patricia Bellock District 47: Westmont: 630-852-8633
Sandy Cole: District 82: Grayslake: 847-543-0062
Tom Cross: District 84: Plainfield 217-782-1331
Jim Durkin: District 82: LaGrange: 708-352-7700
Mike Fortner: District 95: West Chicago: 630-293-9344
Sidney Mathias:District 53: Arlington Hts. 847-222-0061
Thomas Morrison: District 54:Palatine: 224-210-6959
Rosemary Mulligan: District 65: Park Ridge: 847-297-6533
Chris Nybo: District: 41: Lombard: 630-519-3652
Sandra Pihos: District 42:Glen Ellyn: 630-858-8855

DemocratDaniel Bliss District 17: Skokie: 847-568-1250
Kelly Burke; District 36: Oak Lawn: 708-425-0571
Linda Chapa LaVia: District 83 : Aurora: 630-264-6855
Fred Crespo: District 44:Streamwood: 630-372-3340
William Davis:District 30: East Hazel Crest: 708-799-7300
Anthony DeLuca: District 80: Crete: 708--672-0200
Keith Farnum: District 43: Elgin: 1-847-841-7130
Robyn Gabel: District 18: Evanston: 847-424-9898
David Harris: District 66: Mount Prospect 224-636-2010
Lisa Dugan: District 79: Kankakee: 815-939-1983
Elizabeth Hernandez: District 24: 708-222-5240
Charles Jefferson: District 67; Rockford 815-987-7433
Lou Lang: District 16:Skokie: 847-673-1131
Karen May District 58: Highwood: 847-433-9100
Al Riley:District 38: Hazel Crest 708-799-4364
Rita Mayfield: District 60: Waukegan: 847-599-2955
Emily McAsey:District 85: Romeoville: 815-372-0085
Michelle Mussman: District 56: Schaumburg 217-782-3725
Robert Rita: District 28: Blue Island 708-396-2822
Carol Sente: District 59: Lincolnshire: 847-478-9909