“I am thrilled to be endorsed by the National Rifle Association,” Brown said. “As a farmer and a proud NRA member, I am strong supporter of our Second Amendment gun rights. As a co-sponsor of concealed carry legislation, I am working to ensure our citizens have the right to defend their families and property from violent criminals.”

Representative Brown is a co-sponsor of House Bill 148, the Family and Personal Protection Act, which would establish statewide standards for the issuance of licenses to carry concealed firearms in Illinois. HB 148 failed last year on a vote of 65-52-1, due to the ruling by Chicago Democrat Speaker Michael Madigan that the bill needed a three-fifths majority (71 votes) to pass. Brown believes HB 148 will be called for another vote in the House, where he will again vote ‘Yes’ for concealed carry.

Brown was chief co-sponsor of House Bill 3500, which adds an exemption to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act protecting the personal information of Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card holders. The bill prohibits state or local law enforcement agencies from publicly releasing the names or other private information of FOID Card holders. HB 3500 was signed into law as Public Act 97-080.

“The privacy and safety of law-abiding gun owners and their families should not be jeopardized simply because they have chosen to comply with Illinois’ FOID Card requirement,” Brown said. “We took action to prevent the release of this personal information, to help protect Illinois gun owners.”

Representative Brown indicated that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is pushing a gun registration bill that would place a large fee on all guns owned in Illinois. Chicago Democrats are also attempting to ban semi-automatic firearms used by hunters and sport shooters and to limit the purchase of firearms statewide.

“The Chicago Democrats continue to push radical, gun-grabbing legislation in Springfield,” Brown said. “I oppose the anti-gun agenda of the Chicago Democrats and will continue to stand up for the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners.”

“This legislation was brought to me by a victim’s father whose minor daughter was dating a sex offender against the family’s wishes,” Brown said. “The girl was coerced by the older sex offender into joining him in multiple ‘drives’ in his vehicle.”

“The vehicle did not enter areas near parks or schools where sex offenders are already prohibited from being. Therefore, law enforcement’s hands were tied because the victim’s relationship with the offender could not be proven to be sexual in nature,” added Brown.

House Bill 4005 would make it a crime for a child sex offender to knowingly transport a non-familial minor without the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian. HB 4005 passed out of the House Judiciary II – Criminal Law Committee on a vote of 5-2.

“This is a common-sense proposal to protect minors from sexual predators,” Brown said. “I appreciate the Committee’s support and I look forward to passing this legislation out of the House.”

Chapin Rose believes Adam Brown is the right choice for voters in the 102nd District.

“Adam Brown is doing a great job for his constituents in just his first term in the House,” Rose said. “Adam’s farm background and his conservative values make him the right choice for the 102nd District. Adam and I will make a great team for central Illinois families.”

Brown thanked Rose for his support and returned the favor by endorsing Rose for State Senate in the new 51st Senate District.

“Chapin Rose is an outstanding legislator with a solid conservative record,” Brown said. “Chapin is a leader in the General Assembly on criminal law issues. Chapin is a true conservative leader and he has led the charge to cut wasteful spending and reform our welfare state. I’m pleased to endorse Chapin Rose for State Senate.”

Adam Brown is a fifth-generation family farmer who operates a farm with his father in Macon County. In November of 2010, Brown defeated an eight-year incumbent Democrat to become State Representative. At 26 years old, he is the youngest member of the Illinois General Assembly. While serving in public office, Adam has focused on creating and protecting local jobs and has sought to make government more efficient and accountable to the taxpayers. Brown is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Adam and his wife Stephanie were married on July 2, 2011.

The 102nd House District includes all or parts of Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Macon, Moultrie, Shelby, and Vermilion counties.

The local farmer ACTIVATOR Trustees in the 102nd State Representative District found that Adam Brown’s service in the Illinois General Assembly has supported the key legislative issues impacting agriculture. The local farmer ACTIVATOR Trustees also felt that Adam Brown’s service to those in the 102nd Representative District has been exemplary and shows Adam Brown’s compassion as a servant of the public.

Adam Brown has demonstrated his leadership for agriculture and has shown his leadership in Springfield by helping to pass key legislation for farmers. In 2011, Adam Brown helped increase the Illinois Estate Tax individual exemption level from $2 million to $3.5 million in 2012 and to $4 million in 2013 and thereafter. Adam also helped extend the the ethanol and biodiesel state sales tax incentives for 5 years.

The Friend of Agriculture designation places Adam Brown in a group of select members of the Illinois General Assembly who understand the leading role Illinois agriculture plays in the global marketplace and the far-reaching benefits of its products. Being designated a Friend of Agriculture shows that Adam Brown comprehends that agriculture’s benefits extend beyond the vital function of feeding our state, nation, and the world.

The farmers of the area and the Illinois Farm Bureau ACTIVATOR strongly support Adam Brown’s election bid in the 102nd Representative District. We will be working to see that Adam Brown will be returning to the State Capital to make sure we are well represented.

Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau ACTIVATOR Secretary

The AFFI represents over 15,000 members in 211 communities across the state. The firefighters said these two individuals will be the best advocates for public safety and ensure Illinois firefighters have the resources necessary to keep the citizens and first responders safe.

“Both of these individuals have impressed us with their depth of knowledge on issues important not only to firefighters, but to all working men and women in their districts and the state,” said Pat Devaney, President of the AFFI. “At a time when financial resources are at a premium, it’s good to know the voters have an opportunity to elect someone with fiscal integrity as well as concern for public safety.”

AFFI Legislative Representative Chuck Sullivan stated that, “Representative Rose and Representative Brown have shown a true willingness to work with us on serious and complex issues. We are proud to stand with Adam and Chapin. They are hard-working legislators that represent their constituents well.”

The AFFI is among the most respected advocacy groups before the Illinois General Assembly and represents firefighters’ efforts statewide in protecting lives and property from fire and other catastrophic events.

“The incentive package being provided to Tate & Lyle shows exactly what is wrong with our state’s current leadership,” Brown said.  “Governor Quinn is spending 15 million of our tax dollars to help move Decatur jobs to Cook County.  I will do everything I can to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.”

Brown, a Decatur City Councilman, pointed out the economic disparities between Decatur and Hoffman Estates.

“I am outraged that Governor Quinn is helping send Decatur jobs to Cook County,” Brown said.  “We have a 13.2 percent unemployment rate here in Decatur, whereas Hoffman Estates only has 8.3 percent unemployment.  Over 8,400 families are out of work in our area.  What right does Pat Quinn have to decide which city wins jobs and which city loses jobs?  The Governor should not be using our tax dollars to help pay for an intra-state corporate move.”

Brown’s proposal would prohibit the State of Illinois from providing grants or incentive packages to companies that move jobs from one Illinois community to another, unless the State first makes public any incentive packages offered to the company by out-of-state competition.  If the State cannot demonstrate that there is out-of-state competition, then no state funds can be used to help a company relocate within Illinois.

“Tate & Lyle and A.E. Staley have a 100-year history here in Decatur,” Brown said.  “Generations of Decatur families have earned a living working for Staley.  Tate & Lyle can make whatever decision they want, but we don’t have to provide them with state subsidies to move our jobs to Cook County.  I will continue to work with city and state officials to ensure that Tate & Lyle remains a vital part of our community.”

“A week ago, Rep. Bill Mitchell and I introduced legislation that would require Illinois businesses to participate in the federal E-Verify program, to crack down on the hiring of illegal aliens,” Brown said.  “A week later, Rep. Flider is proposing the same thing.  The problem is that Flider twice voted against E-Verify.  Bob Flider was against E-Verify before he was for it.”

On October 13^th, Rep. Bill Mitchell filed House Bill 6924, which requires Illinois employers, after hiring an employee, to verify the employment eligibility of the employee through the E-Verify program.  Mitchell and Brown held a press conference that day announcing their legislation.

Flider responded by calling Mitchell and Brown’s legislation an “election-year gimmick.”  A week later, however, Flider has now copied their idea, claiming it as his own.

“Bob Flider has a terrible record on illegal immigration,” Brown said.  “Rep. Flider voted to give taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal aliens, costing Illinois taxpayers $55 million per year.  Then Flider voted to prohibit Illinois companies from verifying a new employee’s citizenship.  He actually voted to reject the federal program aimed at cutting down on illegal immigration.”

Eight-year incumbent Rep. Bob Flider voted for HB 1744 (PA 95-138), which prohibited Illinois employers from enrolling in the federal E-Verify program, preventing companies from verifying the immigration status of newly hired employees.  A subsequent change in state law allows employers to voluntarily participate in the E-Verify program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Flider also voted against voluntary participation in E-Verify, making Flider one of only eight House members to vote against SB 1133 (PA 96-623).

“The problem with Bob Flider is that he always tries to take both sides of the issue,” Brown said.  “He was against E-Verify before he was for it.  He was a Republican before he was a Democrat.  He was a lobbyist for AmerenIP before suddenly becoming a crusader for consumers.  He supported Rod Blagojevich before he opposed him.  Three times, Flider voted to make Mike Madigan Speaker of the House.  Now he says he doesn’t know who he’ll vote for Speaker because he doesn’t know who’s running?  Give me a break.  Does he really think voters are buying his hypocrisy?  Bob Flider stands for nothing.”

“Adam Brown is an independent leader we can trust to clean up the mess in Springfield,” Schock said.  “Voters can count on Adam to get Illinois working again.  I’m pleased to endorse my friend Adam Brown for State Representative.  He will bring new energy and a fresh perspective to state government.  To truly change Springfield, I urge voters to support Adam Brown.”

Councilman Brown thanked Congressman Schock for his support.  Brown pledged to the voters that on day one in office, he’ll get to work on balancing the budget and creating good-paying jobs for Central Illinois families.

“I’m honored to have the support of Congressman Aaron Schock,” Brown said.  “In Congress, Aaron has focused on cutting wasteful spending and getting our economy back on track.  I pledge to the voters that as your State Representative, I will work tirelessly to get spending under control and create jobs and opportunity right here in Central Illinois.  Together, we’ll bring accountability back to Illinois.”

Aaron Schock served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2005 – 2008, when he was elected to the United States Congress from Illinois’ 18^th Congressional District.

Adam Brown is a fifth-generation family farmer and Decatur City Councilman.