Grayslake Mayor: Village Preps for Concealed Carry

The following is a message to the Grayslake community from Mayor Rhett Taylor, which was published in the March 2014 Grayslake Record, the village of Grayslake newsletter: 

The State of Illinois recently passed Public Act 98-63, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Municipalities and other public and private establishments must comply with this new law. The law has certain standards and rules which the Village must follow. I will take this opportunity to explain what steps the Village has to take in order to comply with the law.

While the Act allows people to carry a concealed firearm, it does prohibit the carrying of firearms in certain locations including buildings under the control of local governments, schools and parks. 

For the municipal government, some of these prohibited locations include the following Village facilities and parks: Village Hall / Police Department; Aquatic Center; Heritage Center; Youth Center; Senior Center; Skate Park; Community Garden; Centennial Park; Memorial Park; Millennium Court; and, Washington & Atkinson open space (southeast corner).

Also, special events that receive a permit from the Village and are held on public property are considered prohibited areas under the law. Municipal parking lots are not considered prohibited areas under the law. 

Please note, that non-municipally owned parking lots are considered prohibited areas under the law, and persons concealing a firearm are allowed to drive into a parking lot, unload the firearm, and store it away in the vehicle. For information on other areas not under the Village’s jurisdiction such as schools or parks, please contact the school or park districts.

Under the law, residential property owners and certain private businesses may choose to prohibit concealed firearms on their property.

The Village must visually designate its facilities and park locations that do not allow for a concealed firearm by posting “Prohibited Area” signage. Some of the Village areas previously listed will have this signage posted as they open during the spring and summer. The Illinois State Police issued a required standard sign to local governments and other agencies which indicates that a particular facility, area, or event space is a “Prohibited Area” for concealed firearms.

It is important to note the Village has to follow certain steps and comply with the state law. It has no control over what areas are considered “Prohibited Areas” for carrying concealed firearms.

The full law can be viewed at www.ilga.gov/ legislation/publicacts/98/098-0063.htm.

If you have questions on this or any other Village topic, please contact me at (847) 223- 8515 or mayortaylor@hotmail.com.

Sincerely,

Rhett Taylor