Will County Gazette

Illinois state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Frankfort) has been installed as a member of the House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force.

The bipartisan group is charged with “reviewing the issue of gun violence” and making recommendations for reducing the level of violence across the state.

“I look forward to a healthy debate on these issues,” McDermed said in a press release. “My hope is that this task force will take a nuanced approach to the emotionally charged issue of gun violence and develop solutions that will actually produce results and not just overreaching, ineffective legislation designed to grab headlines.”

Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs)

The group, created by longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), will be headed by state Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) as chairman.

Among the issues the panel is expected to tackle are the debate over assault weapons and Illinois’ concealed-carry law. The group is also expected to delve into the issue of bail bonds, a subject that has sparked widespread debate on several fronts across the state with authorities in Chicago and Cook County proposing such measures as drastically lowering bond levels as part of an overall criminal justice reform plan.

Tabbed by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), McDermed is one of 10 Republican lawmakers installed on the panel.

In her second term, McDermed sits on such committees as the Economic Justice & Equity, Mental Health, Health Care Licenses, Environment, Elections & Campaign Finance, and Transportation, Regulations, Roads & Bridges committees.

McDermed’s 37th District includes all or parts of Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Homer Glen, Ingalls Park, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park and Tinley Park.