By Frank Conklin, The Chicago Times
January 21, 2023
SPRINGFIELD, IL – An Illinois judge in Effingham County granted a temporary restraining order Friday to pause the state’s recently enacted assault weapons ban as new lawsuits are filed to challenge the constitutionality of the law.
Tom DeVore, former Republican nominee for Illinois attorney general, filed a lawsuit on behalf of citizens and businesses across 87 counties to overturn the law. The lawsuit focuses on four key issues that invalidate the law, one of which is the controversial Equal Protection clause, which carves out exceptions to the law for certain people. Two other lawsuits were also filed, one in an Illinois court and the other in a federal court by the Illinois State Rifle Association.
Governor J.B. Pritzker, recently returned from a “personally financed” jet setting trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, issued the following statement:
“This decision is not surprising. Although disappointing, it is the initial result we’ve seen in many cases brought by plaintiffs whose goal is to advance ideology over public safety. We are well aware that this is only the first step in defending this important legislation. I remain confident that the courts will uphold the constitutionality of Illinois’ law, which aligns with the eight other states with similar laws and was written in collaboration with lawmakers, advocates, and legal experts.
Illinoisans have a right to feel safe in their front yards, at school, while eating at bars and restaurants or celebrating with their family and friends. The Protect Illinois Communities Act takes weapons of war and mass destruction off the street while allowing law-abiding gun owners to retain their collections. I look forward to the next steps in this case and receiving the decision this case merits.”
Frank Conklin, Illinois Political Columnist for The Chicago Times. Views and comments expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Chicago Times.
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