South Cook News

Ashley Ramos, a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, has raised questions on social media regarding her opponent U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly’s (D-Ill.) stance on gun issues. Ramos questioned whether Kelly, a vocal advocate of restrictions on gun ownership, would denounce Governor J.B. Pritzker whose family opened a gun range in Wisconsin just as he signed a controversial gun ban and registry.

“I wonder if Robin Kelly is willing to denounce the Governor of her state, since she’s so opposed to gun violence and wants to restrict gun ownership and he opened a gun range in the state of Wisconsin this year called Mission 94,” Ramos said on Facebook.

“Where’s her criticism of JB Pritzkers profiting from guns?”

As reported by Chicago City Wire, the Pritzker family launched a gun range as part of the construction of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Somers, Wis., at the same time as Governor Pritzker signed a contentious gun ban and registry in Illinois in early 2023. The facility will cover 22,000 square feet and include an indoor sports shooting range along with training and retail amenities catering to all skill levels. Jennifer N. Pritzker, Gov. Pritzker's cousin and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, is leading the relocation of the museum’s collection. Meanwhile, Illinois continues to grapple with legal challenges against its ban on over 170 types of commonly owned guns due to alleged constitutional violations under the Second Amendment.

Ramos herself is an e-commerce specialist and mother who holds notary license and CPR certification. Among her policy positions is support for Second Amendment rights. On her website, Ramos states that "The Right to Bear Arms was created to prevent a tyrannical government overtaking power of the people. No politician, especially the ones who have their own taxpayer funded security detail, should be lecturing us about why we need to give up our 2nd Amendment Right."

A resident of Bradley with roots in Chicago Heights, Ramos spent her formative years in Momence. She completed her education at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School in 2005 and pursued radiology courses at Kankakee Community College, according to her campaign website.

The 2nd Congressional District encompasses the south suburbs of Chicago, eastern Will County, most of Kankakee County and Chicago’s far southeast side. It is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who has held the position since 2013 and also serves as the Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, according to Ballotpedia.