Kane County Reporter

On Friday, a federal judge in Rockford issued a ruling in response to a 2022 lawsuit challenging an Illinois law that prohibits concealed carry permit holders from carrying firearms on public transportation. U.S. District Judge Iain Johnston ruled in favor of the four plaintiffs, exempting them from the decade-old statute.

In response to the ruling, which applies only to the four plaintiffs, State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) issued a statement:

“It’s a shame people feel the need to arm themselves in order to feel safe on our public transit systems, but violent gun crime on the CTA has increased 14% over the last year alone. The issue is heightened by the recent report that four sleeping passengers were shot and killed in cold blood on the Blue Line in the early morning hours of Labor Day. Perhaps those responsible for these crimes would think twice about committing them if there was a possibility that the person sitting next to them on the train or bus was legally armed and trained to defend themselves.

“I have sponsored and co-sponsored legislation during my time in office that would allow law-abiding concealed carry license holders to carry on public transportation. It is a matter of personal safety because those who follow the lawful screening and application process to obtain a CCL are not the ones shooting people on our trains and buses. I am not surprised at this ruling and am confident we will see many more challenges to this Illinois law now that the precedent has been set.”