What we grade · Illinois
First Amendment — Speech, Religion & Assembly
Free speech, religious liberty, and the right to assemble — plus the newer front where the First Amendment meets the Second: pressuring banks to debank gun businesses, deplatforming Second Amendment groups, and forcing gun stores to carry government anti-gun messaging.
Free Speech & Anti-Censorship
The First Amendment protects the right to speak, publish, and dissent. A growing concern is government pressure on social-media and payment companies to silence lawful speech it disfavors.
What earns a high score
I will defend free speech, and I oppose any government effort to pressure platforms, banks, or employers into silencing lawful political or personal expression.
Religious Liberty & Conscience
The First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion — the right to live and work according to one’s faith and conscience without government coercion.
What earns a high score
I will protect the free exercise of religion and conscience rights, and I oppose government mandates that force people to violate their sincerely held beliefs.
Debanking & Platform Censorship
A growing tactic is pressuring banks, payment processors, and online platforms to cut off firearm dealers, 2A organizations, and gun-related content — silencing the industry without passing a single law.
What earns a high score
I oppose government and corporate efforts to “debank,” deplatform, or demonetize firearm dealers, manufacturers, gun-rights groups, and lawful firearm content, and I'll fight to keep the 2A community's access to banks, payment processors, and online platforms.
Right to Assemble & Organize for Gun Rights
The First Amendment protects peaceful assembly and association. Gun shows, shooting clubs, and Second Amendment groups are where that right overlaps directly with the right to keep and bear arms.
What earns a high score
I will protect the right to peacefully assemble and organize for gun rights — 2A rallies, gun shows, clubs, and advocacy groups — free from government harassment or shutdown.
No Compelled Anti-Gun Speech
The First Amendment bars the government from forcing you to speak its message. Some proposals would require gun stores to post or fund anti-gun “warnings” and PSAs as a condition of doing business.
What earns a high score
I oppose forcing gun stores or firearm owners to post, fund, or distribute government anti-gun messaging as a condition of doing business or exercising their rights.
We The Vetted grades the Republican in each Illinois race on these issues, 1–10. Read our full methodology or see the other amendments we grade.