Over 400 turn out for town hall with Bryant, Windhorst and Severin

A town hall meeting Monday evening in Marion featured Republican representatives Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis), who represent portions of Carbondale, as well as Dave Severin (R-Benton).

Around 450 people packed the Midwest Event Center just north of Marion for a gathering that was billed as a "legislative town hall and listening session" slated to discuss issues, including abortion, gun control, taxes, medical/recreational marijuana and job creation.

Much of the discussion focused on gun rights. Bryant drew cheers from the standing-room-only crowd.

"The three of us are opposing any bill that takes away your Second Amendment rights," she said, "not only for recreational use for hunting, fishing or competition use, but for your own personal protection."

Bryant also voiced her concern that many of the proposed bills favoring gun control would also inhibit other Constitutional rights.

An exodus from Illinois was brought up by several audience members as a reaction to legislation on gun control, as well as the proposed minimum-wage hike.

All three legislators chimed in on that issue.

"I think many of the Chicago legislators have siloed themselves to think what they believe is right for the city of Chicago is right for the rest of the state, and that's just not true," Bryant said.

"Is it really best for the state of Illinois, or the best for society or is it just one of those things that we have gotten emotional about and all fired up about?" Severin asked.

"My personal concern," said Windhorst, "is businesses will either close or move to Indiana, Kentucky or Missouri, where they don't have to pay as high wages."

Bryant said there is a hard push to pass controversial legislation before May 31.

"Right now, a bill needs 60 votes to pass," she said. "After May 31, it will need 71 votes, and there are 74 Democrats."

All three legislators urged the audience to visit ilga.gov and file witness slips to show their support or disapproval of proposed legislation.

The meeting ran about 30 minutes beyond the expected hour with about 100 audience members exiting when the discussion turned to the legalization of marijuana, both for medicinal and recreational purposes.

The Illinois legislators were expected to be in session in Springfield by noon Tuesday.