// a href = ./ //

Alton, Illinois police are reminding residents, do not bring concealed weapons to this weekend's Block Party.

Despite the Madison County State's Attorney issuing new guidelines on conceal carry this week, the police will arrest anyone found with a concealed weapon. State's Attorney Tom Gibbons agreed with this weekend's prohibition. New rules from Gibbons stated that people in Madison County can have a loaded gun in their car or person if they have a firearm owner's ID card.

But, that is not the case for this weekend's event.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Concealed carry legislation is pending before the Illinois governor but the state's attorney in Madison County says citizens can start carrying weapons immediately.

Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons said Thursday that "it serves no just purpose" to deny citizens the ability to carry weapons. The Illinois Legislature passed concealed-carry legislation during its recent session under order by a federal appeals court, which ruled the state's ban unconstitutional. That legislation is awaiting action by Gov. Pat Quinn, who hasn't said if he will sign it or not.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that Gibbons says people can carry a concealed weapon in his county as long as they meet seven requirements. Those requirements include possessing a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Citizens also must be carrying the weapon for self-defense.

   EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - The former chief circuit judge in Madison County, Illinois says she's running for Congress.

   Forty-eight year old Democrat Ann Callis announced her candidacy Tuesday for the state's 13th Congressional District seat now held by Rodney Davis. Davis is a Taylorville Republican who was narrowly elected to the House last November.

   Callis has been a judge since 1995 and resigned last Friday from her 7 year role as the county's chief circuit judge.

   The congressional district stretches across parts of central and southwestern Illinois.

   A Davis campaign spokesman says that in the partisan-divided district, "it's no surprise that the Washington Democrats have been attempting to recruit candidates from the moment Congressman Davis was elected last fall." Andrew Flach adds that Davis looks forward to debating the issues against any eventual opponent.

 

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois prosecutor says a sheriff's deputy was justified in fatally shooting an armed man during a confrontation two months ago.

Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons says the deputy's actions involving 51-year-old Barry Cloninger outside the man's rural Edwardsville home in January were reasonable.

Gibbons says neighbors had called authorities to report the odor of lighter fluid in their home and snowy footprints on their roof, which is easily accessible because the home is built into a hillside. The residents have a wood-burning stove and suspected someone poured the flammable liquid down their chimney.

Gibbons says deputies went to question Cloninger, who refused demands that he drop the shotgun he carried. After being shot by the deputy, Cloninger's body was found behind the home.

The death of Godfrey, Illinois man is being called a tragic accident.

Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn says 78 year old Richard Gonzales was killed Tuesday afternoon in the driveway of a relative's home in Alton. Crews were called to the home in the 3300 block of Lincoln about 2:30 p.m.

Nonn says Gonzales had apparently tried to exit his car before putting it in park. When the car started rolling, he tried to get back inside to stop it, but was pinned between the open door and a fence.

Rescue crews tried to resuscitate him at the scene, but Gonzales was pronounced dead at the hospital.

His family says they believe the accident happened while he'd been delivering Valentine Day cards to family members, as was his custom on holidays.