Mayors Across Illinois Urge State Legislators to Pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act
January 5, 2023
CHICAGO, IL - Today, mayors and village presidents from across the state are calling on legislators to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act, as they conclude the current legislative session. In a new letter signed by 27 mayors and village presidents who are encouraging swift passage of common sense legislation that includes bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and other steps to protect residents of their communities.
Mayors are often on the front lines of working with local law enforcement to combat gun violence and coordinating with health care officials in the aftermath of shootings that leave families and communities shattered by their impact.
Among the mayors who signed on to today’s letter are:
“We need urgent action to reduce gun violence that tears entire communities apart. It’s our obligation as mayors to fight and advocate to pass laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands so no other city experiences the pain that we know all too well. I urge lawmakers to safeguard our communities by voting yes on the Protect Illinois Communities Act,” said Matteson Mayor Sheila Y. Chalmers-Currin.
"I am proud to join fellow mayors and leaders across Illinois in urging the General Assembly to pass this critically needed, common-sense, and lifesaving legislation," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "The flow of illegal guns is an inherently cross-jurisdictional challenge that requires collaboration and decisive action from both the State and Federal government to alleviate the scourge of senseless gun violence which threatens our communities. The Protect Illinois Communities Act will absolutely make a marked, positive difference when it comes to safeguarding Illinois residents and families."
“Gun violence poses a pervasive threat to each of our communities, and now is the time to step up and take action to prevent more senseless deaths. We need to get weapons of war off of our streets so that each of our cities is a safe place for all. Our legislators must pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act now,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara.
“I have long advocated for gun reform and hope to see lawmakers pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act as the next step in making our state safer,” said Urbana Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin. “Assault weapons and high capacity magazines are too deadly to serve any purpose but to injure and kill. Lawmakers must stand up to the NRA and pass this commonsense legislation as soon as possible.”
READ THE LETTER:
To: The Illinois General Assembly
It’s Time to Act on Gun Safety Legislation
As mayors and presidents of cities, villages, and towns across Illinois, we urge legislators in the General Assembly to pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act, because all Illinoisans deserve to live without fear of being gunned down in neighborhoods they call home.
For many of us, this bill is personal. Our communities have suffered from gun violence and we can’t sit idly by while families remain at risk. Guns designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible do not belong on our streets or in our homes.
We feel a strong sense of responsibility to ensure the safety and security of not only the residents of our cities, but every person who calls Illinois home. Right now, assault weapons and high capacity magazines remain readily available, illegal guns continue to flow into Illinois, and guns too frequently fall into the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. We can’t wait another day to stop senseless gun tragedies.
The Protect Illinois Communities Act would undoubtedly make our communities safer. We shouldn’t wait another day to get this lifesaving legislation passed. Let’s get this done now.
Thank you for your hard work to protect the wellbeing of all Illinoisans.
Sincerely,
Beverly Sussman
Buffalo Grove
Elliott Hartstein
Former Mayor of Buffalo Grove
Deborah Frank Feinen
Champaign
Lori Lightfoot
Chicago
Dan Shapiro
Deerfield
Daniel Biss
Evanston
Robert Eastern
East St. Louis
Donny Schmit
Fox Lake
Howard Roin
Glencoe
Chris Clark
Harvey
Vernard Alsberry
Hazel Crest
Nancy Rotering
Highland Park
Bill McLeod
Hoffman Estates
Regis Charlot
Lake Bluff
Sheila Y. Chalmers-Currin
Matteson
Steve Chirico
Naperville
Leon Rockingham, Jr
North Chicago
Kathryn Ciesla
Northbrook
Marty Maloney
Park Ridge
Rita Ali
Peoria
Tom McNamara
Rockford
Tom Dailly
Schaumburg
George Van Dusen
Skokie
Diane Wolfe Marlin
Urbana
Ann Taylor
Waukegan
Senta Plunkett
Wilmette
Chris Rintz
Winnetka
