Ground broken on firing range

August 30, 2003

By SUSAN SKILES LUKE
of The Associated Press

SPARTA - Calling hunting and shooting "a way of life for southern and central Illinois," Gov. Rod Blagojevich broke ground Friday on a $20 million shooting complex, a project that was once left for dead.

The 1,200-acre complex with trap and skeet stations, sporting clays, pistol range and three-dimensional archery, plus the biggest campground in the state, will be paid for with state and private funds, Blagojevich said.

The state is buying the land from Peabody Coal Co. this month for $1.8 million, he said. Construction should begin next month.

"The World Shooting Complex will create jobs, raise revenue and entertain thousands of people in Illinois and outside of Illinois," Blagojevich told about 300 local politicians, residents, and shooting enthusiasts gathered for the groundbreaking at a National Guard Armory here.

State officials hope the center will become the new home of the 100,000-member Amateur Trapshooting Association.

The group two years ago backed out of a deal to move here for what it said were financial reasons.

But it kept searching - the ATA is growing out of its current space in Vandalia, Ohio - and is considering Illinois' offer to lease the land for virtually nothing in exchange for using the new facilities for its headquarters and tournaments.

Officials say the project would generate millions in revenue for the state and private businesses from the camping sites, food concessions and corporate sponsorships even without the ATA. Two other national shooting groups, although not as large, have agreed to hold six annual tournaments there, said Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, who worked on the project.

But he still thinks it's likely the ATA will come, he said. "We gave them an offer they can't refuse," he said.

The ATA, which lures about 7,000 shooters each August to its Grand American championship, has narrowed its search to the Sparta site and to land near Las Vegas, said Jim Bradford Jr., who co-chairs the group's relocation committee. A decision is expected by the end of next summer, he said.

But many members oppose Sparta because of its perceived lack of restaurants, shopping and other amenities, Bradford said. Some haven't given up on moving to Shelbyville, Ind., even though that potential site was voted down, Bradford said.

"I've always viewed this as an economic decision," Bradford said. "I believe, however, it has become unnecessarily politicized" in his group, he said.



Kinda a 180 for Rod?
No rifle range?? WTF?

Sparta???


that ain't far away.... anyone got an address or more info?

I'm impressed that Blago broke ground for a trap range and handgun range.
I'm not impressed that there is no rifle range, but I am not suprised since it would encourage black rifle shooters.
I'm not impressed that all these shooting ranges in IL are somewhere in buttfu** central or southern IL and this doesn't help for northern Illinois shooters who don't have no place to shoot except for Ottawa and private $300 year clubs.

He's trying to suck up to Illinois hunters and gun-nuts after the SB1195 madness.

OK, all is forgiven



NOT !

This is a total and complete farce and as far as I am concerned this buys Blago zero points. Do not be fooled, this is pure political smoke and mirrors. It is obvious this is a sad attempt to make nice on the SB1195 fiasco. Blago now realizes doing Daley's bidding is political suicide and this is a plot to win down-state votes in the next election. Uh trap shooting and camping??? WHO CARES! Why no rifle range? Just as someone else stated, this would encourage black rifle shooters. Rather then opening our arms to Blago we should flood his office with letters and phone calls demanding that a public range payed for with tax dollars does not discrimintae against long rifles, no matter what the color. This guy is a total joke. We cannot be mislead by the handgun deer hunting bill nor should we be deceived by this crap. Do not forget last Spring when we all trucked down to Springfiled to keep these Socialist idealists in check. Also keep in mind SB1195 is still on the platter even though it will never ever become law. This buys Blago zero points. As far as I am concerned there is nothing he or any other anti-American politician can do to make nice in regards to our Second Amendment rights once they have they have taken any inititave to strip us of that very right. Remember, nowhere in the Second Amendment does it state "the right to bear arms for sporting purposes shall not be infringed." Nor does it state "the right of the people to trap shoot shall not be infringed." This is the new Liberal movement to pacify gun owners by making themselves look "pro-hunting." It is happening all over the country. Well, again, it's not about hunting and it's not about trap shooting. Come election time, he needs to go plain and simple. No matter what he does from this point forward a very, very clear message must be sent to all Liberals that the minute they even attempt to disarm the law-abiding people of this great nation, no matter what they do after that, it doesn't make up for it. Plain and simple. Come election time he needs to go. I don't care if he make Illinois a class three state, repeals the FOID act and pushes and signs concealed carry into law, the fact is within the first months of his tenure he and his associates unleashed Nazi Germany type gun control on us and for that we show no political quarter. No exceptions, no trap ranges, no deals, no way.

This is a total and complete farce and as far as I am concerned this buys Blago zero points. Do not be fooled, this is pure political smoke and mirrors. It is obvious this is a sad attempt to make nice on the SB1195 fiasco. Blago now realizes doing Daley's bidding is political suicide and this is a plot to win down-state votes in the next election. Uh trap shooting and camping??? WHO CARES! Why no rifle range? Just as someone else stated, this would encourage black rifle shooters. Rather then opening our arms to Blago we should flood his office with letters and phone calls demanding that a public range payed for with tax dollars does not discrimintae against long rifles, no matter what the color. This guy is a total joke. We cannot be mislead by the handgun deer hunting bill nor should we be deceived by this crap. Do not forget last Spring when we all trucked down to Springfiled to keep these Socialist idealists in check. Also keep in mind SB1195 is still on the platter even though it will never ever become law. This buys Blago zero points. As far as I am concerned there is nothing he or any other anti-American politician can do to make nice in regards to our Second Amendment rights once they have they have taken any inititave to strip us of that very right. Remember, nowhere in the Second Amendment does it state "the right to bear arms for sporting purposes shall not be infringed." Nor does it state "the right of the people to trap shoot shall not be infringed." This is the new Liberal movement to pacify gun owners by making themselves look "pro-hunting." It is happening all over the country. Well, again, it's not about hunting and it's not about trap shooting. Come election time, he needs to go plain and simple. No matter what he does from this point forward a very, very clear message must be sent to all Liberals that the minute they even attempt to disarm the law-abiding people of this great nation, no matter what they do after that, it doesn't make up for it. Plain and simple. Come election time he needs to go. I don't care if he make Illinois a class three state, repeals the FOID act and pushes and signs concealed carry into law, the fact is within the first months of his tenure he and his associates unleashed Nazi Germany type gun control on us and for that we show no political quarter. No exceptions, no trap ranges, no deals, no way.

This is a total and complete farce and as far as I am concerned this buys Blago zero points. Do not be fooled, this is pure political smoke and mirrors. It is obvious this is a sad attempt to make nice on the SB1195 fiasco. Blago now realizes doing Daley's bidding is political suicide and this is a plot to win down-state votes in the next election. Uh trap shooting and camping??? WHO CARES! Why no rifle range? Just as someone else stated, this would encourage black rifle shooters. Rather then opening our arms to Blago we should flood his office with letters and phone calls demanding that a public range payed for with tax dollars does not discrimintae against long rifles, no matter what the color. This guy is a total joke. We cannot be mislead by the handgun deer hunting bill nor should we be deceived by this crap. Do not forget last Spring when we all trucked down to Springfiled to keep these Socialist idealists in check. Also keep in mind SB1195 is still on the platter even though it will never ever become law. This buys Blago zero points. As far as I am concerned there is nothing he or any other anti-American politician can do to make nice in regards to our Second Amendment rights once they have they have taken any inititave to strip us of that very right. Remember, nowhere in the Second Amendment does it state "the right to bear arms for sporting purposes shall not be infringed." Nor does it state "the right of the people to trap shoot shall not be infringed." This is the new Liberal movement to pacify gun owners by making themselves look "pro-hunting." It is happening all over the country. Well, again, it's not about hunting and it's not about trap shooting. Come election time, he needs to go plain and simple. No matter what he does from this point forward a very, very clear message must be sent to all Liberals that the minute they even attempt to disarm the law-abiding people of this great nation, no matter what they do after that, it doesn't make up for it. Plain and simple. Come election time he needs to go. I don't care if he make Illinois a class three state, repeals the FOID act and pushes and signs concealed carry into law, the fact is within the first months of his tenure he and his associates unleashed Nazi Germany type gun control on us and for that we show no political quarter. No exceptions, no trap ranges, no deals, no way.

This is a total and complete farce and as far as I am concerned this buys Blago zero points. Do not be fooled, this is pure political smoke and mirrors. It is obvious this is a sad attempt to make nice on the SB1195 fiasco. Blago now realizes doing Daley's bidding is political suicide and this is a plot to win down-state votes in the next election. Uh trap shooting and camping??? WHO CARES! Why no rifle range? Just as someone else stated, this would encourage black rifle shooters. Rather then opening our arms to Blago we should flood his office with letters and phone calls demanding that a public range payed for with tax dollars does not discrimintae against long rifles, no matter what the color. This guy is a total joke. We cannot be mislead by the handgun deer hunting bill nor should we be deceived by this crap. Do not forget last Spring when we all trucked down to Springfiled to keep these Socialist idealists in check. Also keep in mind SB1195 is still on the platter even though it will never ever become law. This buys Blago zero points. As far as I am concerned there is nothing he or any other anti-American politician can do to make nice in regards to our Second Amendment rights once they have they have taken any inititave to strip us of that very right. Remember, nowhere in the Second Amendment does it state "the right to bear arms for sporting purposes shall not be infringed." Nor does it state "the right of the people to trap shoot shall not be infringed." This is the new Liberal movement to pacify gun owners by making themselves look "pro-hunting." It is happening all over the country. Well, again, it's not about hunting and it's not about trap shooting. Come election time, he needs to go plain and simple. No matter what he does from this point forward a very, very clear message must be sent to all Liberals that the minute they even attempt to disarm the law-abiding people of this great nation, no matter what they do after that, it doesn't make up for it. Plain and simple. Come election time he needs to go. I don't care if he make Illinois a class three state, repeals the FOID act and pushes and signs concealed carry into law, the fact is within the first months of his tenure he and his associates unleashed Nazi Germany type gun control on us and for that we show no political quarter. No exceptions, no trap ranges, no deals, no way.

This is a total and complete farce and as far as I am concerned this buys Blago zero points. Do not be fooled, this is pure political smoke and mirrors. It is obvious this is a sad attempt to make nice on the SB1195 fiasco. Blago now realizes doing Daley's bidding is political suicide and this is a plot to win down-state votes in the next election. Uh trap shooting and camping??? WHO CARES! Why no rifle range? Just as someone else stated, this would encourage black rifle shooters. Rather then opening our arms to Blago we should flood his office with letters and phone calls demanding that a public range payed for with tax dollars does not discrimintae against long rifles, no matter what the color. This guy is a total joke. We cannot be mislead by the handgun deer hunting bill nor should we be deceived by this crap. Do not forget last Spring when we all trucked down to Springfiled to keep these Socialist idealists in check. Also keep in mind SB1195 is still on the platter even though it will never ever become law. This buys Blago zero points. As far as I am concerned there is nothing he or any other anti-American politician can do to make nice in regards to our Second Amendment rights once they have they have taken any inititave to strip us of that very right. Remember, nowhere in the Second Amendment does it state "the right to bear arms for sporting purposes shall not be infringed." Nor does it state "the right of the people to trap shoot shall not be infringed." This is the new Liberal movement to pacify gun owners by making themselves look "pro-hunting." It is happening all over the country. Well, again, it's not about hunting and it's not about trap shooting. Come election time, he needs to go plain and simple. No matter what he does from this point forward a very, very clear message must be sent to all Liberals that the minute they even attempt to disarm the law-abiding people of this great nation, no matter what they do after that, it doesn't make up for it. Plain and simple. Come election time he needs to go. I don't care if he make Illinois a class three state, repeals the FOID act and pushes and signs concealed carry into law, the fact is within the first months of his tenure he and his associates unleashed Nazi Germany type gun control on us and for that we show no political quarter. No exceptions, no trap ranges, no deals, no way.

This is a total and complete farce and as far as I am concerned this buys Blago zero points. Do not be fooled, this is pure political smoke and mirrors. It is obvious this is a sad attempt to make nice on the SB1195 fiasco. Blago now realizes doing Daley's bidding is political suicide and this is a plot to win down-state votes in the next election. Uh trap shooting and camping??? WHO CARES! Why no rifle range? Just as someone else stated, this would encourage black rifle shooters. Rather then opening our arms to Blago we should flood his office with letters and phone calls demanding that a public range payed for with tax dollars does not discrimintae against long rifles, no matter what the color. This guy is a total joke. We cannot be mislead by the handgun deer hunting bill nor should we be deceived by this crap. Do not forget last Spring when we all trucked down to Springfiled to keep these Socialist idealists in check. Also keep in mind SB1195 is still on the platter even though it will never ever become law. This buys Blago zero points. As far as I am concerned there is nothing he or any other anti-American politician can do to make nice in regards to our Second Amendment rights once they have they have taken any inititave to strip us of that very right. Remember, nowhere in the Second Amendment does it state "the right to bear arms for sporting purposes shall not be infringed." Nor does it state "the right of the people to trap shoot shall not be infringed." This is the new Liberal movement to pacify gun owners by making themselves look "pro-hunting." It is happening all over the country. Well, again, it's not about hunting and it's not about trap shooting. Come election time, he needs to go plain and simple. No matter what he does from this point forward a very, very clear message must be sent to all Liberals that the minute they even attempt to disarm the law-abiding people of this great nation, no matter what they do after that, it doesn't make up for it. Plain and simple. Come election time he needs to go. I don't care if he make Illinois a class three state, repeals the FOID act and pushes and signs concealed carry into law, the fact is within the first months of his tenure he and his associates unleashed Nazi Germany type gun control on us and for that we show no political quarter. No exceptions, no trap ranges, no deals, no way.

i think we got the idea ther, patriot..

Gus I apologize this was a technical meltdown at the helm of my computer. Sorry about that I am fixing the computer now.

Put that thing back on semi Patriot.

Quoted: Put that thing back on semi Patriot.

LOL. Sorry again guys. I just put a new disconnector in my computer. Should be ok from here on out!!!

I'm from downstate (although I'm a PA import) and I don't think this will buy him anymore votes than he already had from down here because the majority of downstaters, I'm talking south of I 64 are dumb fucks who vote democrat because thats the way daddy voted back when he owned slaves on the back 40, or because their union president has promised them all kinds of shit if they vote for coksucker's like our current governor. I have heard of rumors of Blago wanting to run for VP with Hilary?

Quoted: I'm from downstate (although I'm a PA import) and I don't think this will buy him anymore votes than he already had from down here because the majority of downstaters, I'm talking south of I 64 are dumb fucks who vote democrat because thats the way daddy voted back when he owned slaves on the back 40, or because their union president has promised them all kinds of shit if they vote for coksucker's like our current governor. I have heard of rumors of Blago wanting to run for VP with Hilary?

Where did you hear that? Frightening.

A rumor go around with stae workers at a couple of the prisons. The head of the union is an asshole and is up der governor's rectum. Probaly BS.

Hope it is BS but there is really no better place to hear rumors of Communism than in a prison or from a labor union. Something tells me Blago is way out of the VP league. There are lots of other Socialists out there with bigger name recognition then that bung hole but who knows. Scary.