October 29, 2026
Thursday Bulletin – October 29, 2026
Executive Director’s Message
From Richard Pearson
The Midterm Elections are just around the corner and I want to stress to you how important it is for you to vote this year.
At the Federal level, Congress is up for grabs and, if Congress slips into the Blue column, gun owners are in trouble. It is possible that there could be a Supreme Court vacancy or two in this term. If the Supreme Court flips, gun rights are in trouble.
I know the chances of electing a Republican Senator in Illinois are slim, to say the least. But, there are several Congressional races in Illinois and they are also important. The U.S. House of Representatives is, notoriously, a cauldron of bad ideas. It is important that we keep as much common sense in Congress as possible. I know it’s a long shot, however.
At the state level, I expect the Democrats to increase their existing supermajority in the General Assembly. In the Governor’s race, Darren Bailey is being out spent 25:1 by the incumbent. None of this is good news. Nevertheless, it is our duty to get to the polls and vote.
I hear comments like “it’s a waste of time” or “my vote doesn’t matter”. First of all, it is not a waste of time. Blood has been spilled all over the world for the right to vote and to NOT vote is to disrespect all those who fought and died for that right. Secondly, the only vote that is wasted is the vote that was never cast! Never ever give up!
November 3rd is Election Day. Vote early or vote on that day – I don’t care which one, but go vote!
For the last 10 years, the Illinois State Rifle Association has co-sponsored the Youth 3-Gun shooting event at the National Shotgun Championships, which are held at Sparta, Illinois, in August. Once again, it was a fabulous event. It could not be done without all the wonderful ISRA volunteers and other volunteers. It takes 35 to 40 volunteers to make this event happen. I want to thank Brian Hobbs, the Berm Manager at the World Shooting Complex and his staff for their great efforts.
This year, 17,000 rounds of ammunition were used over the two-day event. The stages of the event were shot 1,301 times.
It takes a ton of equipment and effort, as you might imagine, to get this job done the right way .
This event is part of the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s (ATA) A.I.M. program. A.I.M. stands for “Academics – Integrity – Marksmanship” and is the ATA’s great youth program.
Recently, a study was done in high schools in the Southeastern United States regarding graduation rates and sports programs. The graduation rate for students engaged in the shooting sports – trapshooting, sporting clays, skeet, rifle, air pistol and air rifle – was 92%. The graduation rates for those engaged in football was 38%. I played football in high school and some in college. I was also on the rifle team. I still enjoy shooting today. It’s been quite a while since I played football. Just sayin’.
In the long run, it is important to focus on the young people and teach them the importance of Second Amendment rights and gun safety through programs designed with them in mind. The ISRA will continue to support and encourage our youth to get involved, practice and compete to ensure they remain active participants in the fight to keep our 2A rights intact. If you would like to join us in supporting these activities, or have questions on how you can help, just give us a call at (815) 635-3198. Thank you for your continued support!
When the news broke about the school shooting in Bend, Oregon, the local County Sheriff’s concealed carry classes filled up in 20 minutes. And then the next one filled up… and then the next couple have waiting lists. In five days, 204 people have signed up for the sheriff’s concealed carry class. I did a quick check of other concealed carry classes in Oregon and all of them were closed, which I assume means they were full.
What the people of Bend, Oregon, found out was what I have been saying for years – only YOU can protect you and your family. The police aren’t going to be there. Criminals, and even mental defectives, do not attack when police are around. If you and your spouse do not have concealed licenses, you should.
Right now, Illinois has 563,213 active Illinois Concealed Carry Licenses. It would be a great idea for you to add to that number. Sign up for a concealed carry class today!
The ISRA Range in Bonfield, near Kankakee, is offering a concealed carry class on November 6 and 7. Better yet, we are offering the class for $150, which is $50 off the normal price for the full two-day class. If you only need to re-qualify, the cost is only $75 for the second day, which is $25 off the price for one day. To take advantage of this special offer, please call the ISRA office at 815-635-3198.
The Supreme Court of the United States is back in session. Here we go!
ISRA continues fighting for Illinois gun owners through litigation involving gun and magazine restrictions, concealed carry, firearm regulations, FOID issues, the rights of young adults, suppressor restrictions, and other Second Amendment issues.
These cases require attorneys. They require legal research, briefs, appeals, filings, experts, and years of determined work. That work costs money — and we need your help to keep doing it.
Help Fund ISRA Litigation Efforts.
Every contribution helps ISRA continue defending the constitutional rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners. To make a contribution to ISRA Litigation efforts today, CLICK HERE.
Want to see the other legal battles ISRA is fighting? Visit ISRA Litigation page HERE.
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Thank you for standing with the ISRA as we defend the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners!
Veto session is on the way and we are waiting. We will keep you apprised of any news on legislation as we become aware of it
The up-coming 2026 veto session dates for the Illinois Senate are:
November 17th, 18th, 19th and December 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
You can find downloadable PDF versions of the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.
The ISRA maintains a list of the most important bills under consideration in the Illinois State Legislature; the most current list is always the ISRA Legislation Page. Click and follow along!
When anti-gun politicians pass another restriction, Illinois gun owners need an organization prepared to challenge it.
When a lower court refuses to follow Supreme Court precedent, we need to keep appealing.
And when a major Second Amendment case reaches the United States Supreme Court, ISRA needs to be there! However, it costs much more to force a correction in the courts than it does to prevent offending legislation from happening in the first place!
STAND WITH ISRA.
Help us continue the legislative fight for Illinois gun owners in Springfield.
To make a contribution to our Legislative efforts today, CLICK HERE.
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.
For more information on how you can help, call the ISRA office at (815) 635-3198, or e-mail us at member@isra.org today.
Send us your hunting pictures! They don’t have to be deer – they can be ducks, pheasants, moose or whatever. We will have a random drawing from your entries for a $50 Boyt Harness gift card and a few other prizes on February 2nd. Good luck out there!!!
We offer 18 different shooting leagues. Some are weekly and some are monthly, and all of them are fun. There is no better place to learn new things and for camaraderie while you improve on your marksmanship skills. It’s a great place for you to shoot!
For more info on Classes, Leagues, Special Events and more,
go to the ISRA Range Calendar – CLICK HERE.
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
Livingston County – This meeting is being reorganized to better engage area ISRA members. More information will be posted when available.
Madison County – 1st Wednesday of the month – Piasa Armory, 625 Lewis and Clark Blvd., East Alton, IL; Doors open at 6:15pm; Meeting starts at 6:30pm
Northwest Suburban – Algonquin/Dundee area – This meeting is being reorganized to better engage area ISRA members. More information will be posted when available.
South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thursday of the month – Barraco’s Pizza, 13445 S. Cicero Ave, Crestwood, IL; Doors open 6:00pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm; Buffet is $20.
Will County – 3rd Wednesday of the month – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” ~ Thomas Payne
Drawing on November 5th! Still time to enter online!
CLICK HERE to order tickets online!!
Ticket prices:
1 Ticket – $20
3 Tickets – $50
8 Tickets – $100
25 Tickets – $250
60 Tickets – $500
The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing.
Please Read The Fine print:
For more information on this raffle, CLICK HERE.
For other questions or information on this raffle, contact:
ISRA – PO Box 637 – Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815)635-3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org
“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.
Join the ISRA today.” ~ Richard Pearson
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time.
*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted) ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.
Click here for the Illinois Shooter – Fall 2026
If you would like to donate to us, please CLICK HERE.
Thank you for your support!
To Join the ISRA, CLICK HERE.
When we all studied the Revolutionary War, one person that was skipped over was Thomas Hickey, yet he played a significant role in the formation of US intelligence services including the CIA.
Thomas Hickey was George Washington’s bodyguard and part of a unit known as the “Life Guards”. The modern-day equivalent of the Life Guards would be the Secret Service. Hickey was also a Sergeant in the Continental Army and eventually found to be an agent of Loyalist leaders, Royal Governor of New York William Tryon and Loyalist New York City Mayor David Mathews. They were planning to assassinate George Washington because they recognized him as the most influential leader of independence movement.
The New York Congress had created a secret committee known as the Committee to Detect and Defeat Conspiracies. The committee was chaired by John Jay who would become the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. One other member of the committee was Nathaniel Sackett who would later become George Washington’s Spy Master. This committee was the fore-runner of US intelligence services and the CIA and they had spies and informants everywhere.
One of the best places to pick up information was in jails and prisons. Hickey wasn’t the brightest guy in the world and was arrested for passing counterfeit money. While in jail, he told his cellmate, Issac Ketchum, about the plans to assassinate George Washington. Ketchum contacted the “Committee” and the conspirators were immediately rounded up and questioned.
Hickey was court-martialed on charges of mutiny and sedition and found guilty. He was hanged on June 28, 1776, six days before the Declaration of Independence was passed. Over 20,000 people attended Hickey’s hanging. The idea was to discourage other traitors. Of course, Benedict Arnold did not get the message, but I’m sure many others did.
George Washington knew and understood the value of spies and informants. He personally had several spy rings in operation, the most famous of which was the Culper Spy Ring. A few of his spies are known today but most remain unknown because they were spies, after all. Spies don’t get medals or recognition publicly, they can’t. They only get the satisfaction of serving their county as their reward.
Today, the CIA awards the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the Intelligence Star and the Intelligence Medal of Merit. All of these medals, however, are awarded posthumously and the details are never revealed.
More about George Washington’s spies next week. Stay tuned!
October 29, 1929 – Black Tuesday hits Wall Street and the stock market crashes. Billions of dollars were wiped out of people’s personal investments and the world spiraled down into the Great Depression. By 1933, approximately 9,000 banks in the United States had failed. Despite all the high-sounding government programs implemented in the U.S., the country would not crawl out of the Great Depression until World War II started.
October 30, 1991 – Hurricane Grace, which became known as “The Perfect Storm”, intensifies in the North Atlantic. The 70 foot fishing boat, Andrea Gail, is lost. None of her crew was ever found. There was a book and a movie about “The Perfect Storm.”
October 31, 1517 – German priest, Martin Luther, nails 95 theses to the door of the castle church at Wittenburg, Germany. In these theses, Martin Luther condemned the practice of selling forgiveness of a person’s sins for cash money. This was a time when Pope Leo X was trying to raise money for the renovation of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Martin Luther was condemned for his actions.
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of Germany declared Martin Luther an outlaw and gave permission to anyone to kill him without consequence. Prince Frederick, however, protected Martin Luther. By the time Martin Luther died in 1546, the Protestant Reformation was underway.
November 1, 1777 – John Paul Jones, in command of the USS Ranger, set sail with his crew from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their destination was the French naval port of Brest, France, to re-supply before heading to the Irish Sea and to raid England coastline.
November 2, 2016 – Chicago Cubs win the world series beating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in Game 7 at Progressive Field, Cleveland. It was the first Cubs’ title in 108 years, with the series MVP named as Chicago utility player Ben Zobrist.
In 1945, the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, William “Billy Goat” Sianis and his pet goat “Murphy” attended game four of the World Series in which the Cubs were playing. Complaints about the goat prompted ejection of the pair by the ushers.
Another version of the events had the ushers preventing their initial entry into Wrigley Field. Sianis proclaimed “you’re gonna lose the World Series! You’re never gonna win another one again!” In 2016, the Curse of the Billy Goat was finally broken.
November 3, 1906 – The International Radiotelegraph Conference in Berlin selects the “SOS”
(· · · – – – · · ·) distress signal as the worldwide standard for help.
November 4, 1922 – The entrance to King Tut’s tomb is discovered. The entrance to the tomb had been covered in debris from the excavation of King Ramses’ tomb and overlooked for centuries. King Tut died at only 18 years old and was considered a minor king. Still, Tut’s untouched tomb provided great insight into ancient Egypt.
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list. The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson
While the gun show information shown in this email is believed to be accurate, sometimes changes occur. This is provided for informational purposes only.
If your club or organization is holding a gun show, event or class, let us know the details, and we’d be happy to post it in our Weekly Range Schedule.
Nov. 7 – 8, 2026 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Nov. 8, 2026 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Nov. 21 – 22, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Dec. 5 – Dec. 6, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Dec. 12 – 13, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Dec. 13, 2026 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Jan. 10, 2027 Kane County Sportsman’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, IL.
Jan. 30 – 31, 2027 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.
Feb. 6 – 7, 2027 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Feb. 13 – 14, 2027 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
If you are not an ISRA member, join TODAY!
Donate: isra.org/support-us/
Upcoming Meetings: isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/