SPRINGFIELD - After years of doubling up as a lobbyist for Operating Engineers Local 150 and the Illinois chapter of the National Rifle Association, Todd Vandermyde announced on his Facebook page Friday night that he was setting aside his work for Local 150 to focus fulltime on protecting Second Amendment rights in Illinois.
Vandermyde's knowledge on Second Amendment issues has been on display at one public meeting after another as he testified at House Speaker Mike Madigan's topic matter hearings on the conceal and carry legislation as well as assault weapon ban. Vandermyde is respected among lawmakers for his expertise on the issue and his leadership among the large faction of Illinois gun rights activists.
Next Wednesday will be the annual IGOLD Day in Springfield, when gun rights advocates will once again merge on the Capitol, calling for Second Amendment rights to be protected. Speculation is that the amendment-heavy HB 1155, that was held on second reading last Tuesday after a seven-hour marathon floor debate, will be called for a vote before the Illinois House Wednesday. The timing of that vote predicts Vandermyde and his fellow gun activists believe they have enough votes to pass HB 1155 out of the House.
If no conceal and carry legislation emerges from the legislature by June 9th, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a no-restriction constitutional carry law into effect in Illinois.
Todd Vandermyde, AP photo
