Illinois

Judge Overturns Illinois Assault Weapons Ban As Gov. Pritzker Vows To Appeal Ruling

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2024

Judge Overturns Illinois Assault Weapons Ban As Gov. Pritzker Vows To Appeal Ruling

Topline

A federal judge deemed Illinois’ ban on assault weapons unconstitutional Friday, according to multiple outlets, though state Gov. J.B. Pritzker has vowed to appeal the ruling that overturned the ban enacted after a 2022 mass shooting killed seven and injured dozens in a Chicago suburb.

The ban was signed into law last year. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via … [+] Getty Images)

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Key Facts

U.S. District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn said the ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines violated the right to bear arms covered by the Second Amendment, according to the Associated Press, which noted McGlynn’s order does not take effect for 30 days.

Pritzker signed the ban into law in January 2023, prohibiting the selling of assault weapons like the AR-15, along with high-capacity magazines, switches and other attachments, enacting the ban about six months after the 2022 Highland Park shooting.

Pritzker’s office plans to appeal the ruling within the next 30 days and said in a statement the ban “was enacted to and has protected Illinoisans from the constant fear of being gunned down in places where they ought to feel secure,” according to NBC Chicago.

The Highland Park shooting that informed the creation of the ban left seven dead, injured some 48 people and was carried out by a shooter equipped with a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic rifle.

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Contra

The Illinois State Rifle Association said its legislative team “tried to warn lawmakers about the unconstitutionality of Pritzker’s scheme” and called the ban an “affront to citizen’s rights” in a statement posted to its website Friday.

Tangent

Robert Crimo III, the alleged Highland Park shooter, is expected to go to trial early next year after rejecting a plea deal in June.

Key Background

Illinois is one of several states with an assault weapons ban, with California, Washington, Massachusetts and New York among those with similar laws. The legislation has largely been established in response to persistently high levels of mass shootings in the U.S. within the last several years. A total of 449 mass shootings (a minimum of four victims shot, injured or killed, not including the shooter) have occurred in the U.S. so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which reported 656 mass shootings last year.

How to buy Illinois Final Four gear, hats, shirts, hoodies, more

Published

45 minutes ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

How to buy Illinois Final Four gear, hats, shirts, hoodies, more

No. 3 Illinois knocked off No. 9 Iowa on Saturday night in Houston, now they’re advancing to the Final Four in the men’s NCAA Tournament.

The Fighting Illini pulled away late and ended their the Hawkeye’s Cinderella run in the Elite Eight with a 71-59 victory.

SHOP: Illinois Final Four tickets

Illinois fans know this is special, it’s the team’s first Final Four appearance since 2005, so now it’s time to celebrate.

Get the gear the players wore on the court, including Illinois Final Four hats, Illinois Final Four shirts, and more.

Shop ALL Illinois Final Four gear

Illinois Final Four hat

Illinois Final Four shirt

Illinois Final Four game location

Illinois will play its Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Get your Illinois Final Four NCAA Tournament tickets now.

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Illinois Final Four appearances

The last time the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team made the Final Four was in 2005. They also made it in 1989, 1952, 1951 and 1949.

When is the Final Four?

The 2026 NCAA Tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6. Saturday’s games are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET respectively, while the National Championship game is set to tip at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 6.

March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament

March 19-20: First round
March 21-22: Second round
March 26-27: Sweet 16
March 28-29: Elite 8
April 4-5: Final Four
April 6: National Championship

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Illinois

Champaign places temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as city gears up for Illini-Hawkeyes game

Published

13 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Champaign places temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as city gears up for Illini-Hawkeyes game

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

Saturday, March 28, 2026 1:30PM

Alcohol restrictions in Champaign ahead of Illini-Hawkeyes game

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WLS) — As the Fighting Illini take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight, there will be new liquor laws in place in Champaign.

The mayor signed an executive order, citing concerns to public health.

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After 3 p.m. Saturday, bars and restaurants cannot serve alcohol in glass containers.

And retailers are banned from selling packaged alcohol or to-go cocktails after 6 p.m.

Alcohol deliveries are also being banned after 6 p.m.

The restrictions will remain in place until 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

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Illinois

Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness

The men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues with Elite Eight action Saturday with No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 9 Iowa on the two-game schedule.

USA TODAY Sports’ college basketball experts have analyzed all the angles and determined a path to victory for each side. Here’s everything you need to know before the Elite Eight matchup tips off.

USA TODAY has a team of journalists covering the men’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

Illinois will win Elite Eight game vs Iowa if…

John Leuzzi: It replicates what it did defensively against Houston.
Jordan Mendoza: It controls the interior.
Ehsan Kassim: Wagler can win the matchup against Stirtz.
Austin Curtright: If its defense plays like it did against Houston.

Iowa will win Elite Eight game vs Illinois if…

John Leuzzi: It limits Illinois on offensive rebounds, and second chance opportunities.
Jordan Mendoza: it’s knocking down 3-pointers.
Ehsan Kassim: Hawkeyes can make the game slower paced and Illinois misses shots.
Austin Curtright: Its bench contributors of Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and others continue their strong play.

Illinois vs Iowa: 1 Stat to watch

John Leuzzi: Bennett Stirtz vs. Keaton Wagler at the point guard battle.
Jordan Mendoza: 3-point shot.
Ehsan Kassim: Illinois 3-point shooting.
Austin Curtright: Illinois’ defense has been outstanding in the NCAA Tournament, despite ranking outside the top 20 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency.