CHICAGO – Residents in some Illinois counties sent a message to lawmakers this week: Give citizens the right to carry concealed weapons.

Measures supporting concealed carry were on the ballot Tuesday in at least 10 mostly rural counties – Adams, Bond, Henry, McDonough, Mercer, Randolph, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stephenson and Warren – and passed overwhelmingly in every one.

The votes were non-binding because local law cannot override state law. But advocates say they hope to build pressure on lawmakers to support concealed carry.