Maybe a phone call might help?
Wednesday, Aug 24, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Traffickers who take advantage of looser laws in neighboring states to illegally import guns to Illinois will face tougher penalties if caught under a measure Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Tuesday.
The new law, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly without opposition, makes it a felony for a person who has not been issued a state firearm owner’s identification card to bring guns into Illinois with the intent to sell or deliver them. Penalties will be stricter for those who’ve previously been convicted on gun trafficking-related charges.
On hand to celebrate Rauner’s approval of the bill were Republican legislative leaders and representatives from the Illinois State Police. Notably, no Democratic lawmakers or Chicago Police Department officials attended the signing ceremony — an indication of the touchy political situation between Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The mayor has been pushing for legislation that would toughen penalties for illegal use of a weapon — an idea he raises regularly when discussing Chicago’s persistent violent crime problem. But the idea has gone nowhere in the General Assembly, stalled in part by Illinois’ different geographic views on guns, and Rauner on Tuesday said the mayor hadn’t called him on it.
The mayor hasn’t called the governor about it? Hmm.
* Sun-Times…
Emanuel didn’t attend the governor’s bill signing ceremony at the Illinois State Police crime lab in Chicago. Neither did Chicago Police officials. Afterwards, the mayor issued a statement that made it clear why he was a no-show. He called it a “step in the right direction” to go after “those who knowingly bring guns into Illinois illegally.”
But he said, “We must continue to build upon this new law” by partnering with Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and other legislators “to strengthen sentencing for the repeat gun offenders who are driving violence on our streets.”
Raoul and two other Chicago members of the black legislative caucus, Sens. Jacqueline Collins and Mattie Hunter, are sponsoring a new gun-possession bill — along with Sens. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and Sen. Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago), assistant majority leader.
The bill would target repeat gun offenders, creating sentencing guidelines that would suggest a stiffer prison term than the minimum sentence for crimes such as possession of a gun by a felon. If a judge chose to reject the guideline sentence and give a lesser prison term, the judge would have to say why in writing.
It’s a different approach than creating higher mandatory minimum sentences for gun offenses. Emanuel has pushed the concept for years, but it has repeatedly run into a wall in Springfield.
OK, then pick up the phone, mayor.
- Daniel Plainview - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 10:54 am:
Maybe he’s been too busy trying to build another private toy collection on the lakefront, you know, things that matter.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:04 am:
===The new law, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly without opposition, makes it a felony for a person who has not been issued a state firearm owner’s identification card to bring guns into Illinois with the intent to sell or deliver them.===
This was already illegal and I think this new law is largely meaningless. It won’t do much to stem the flow of illegal guns into Chicago.
And moreover, does the Mayor need to call the Governor to plead with him to do a better job fighting gun violence? Really? Rauner can’t figure this out on his own?
- illini97 - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:06 am:
Maybe he’s saving his phone minutes for that call to Trump. Going to get all these crime issues wrapped up in a week. Believe me.
- so... - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:07 am:
==And moreover, does the Mayor need to call the Governor to plead with him to do a better job fighting gun violence? Really? Rauner can’t figure this out on his own?==
What gun control bill has Rauner vetoed?
Sounds like the Mayor’s problem is with the General Assembly.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:13 am:
===does the Mayor need to call the Governor to plead with him===
You’re better than that.
He should talk to the governor about how to pass his bill and what BVR could agree to.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:20 am:
I think what’s disappointing is the idea that consensus on moving forward is mired in a lack of communication between “two friends who just disagree politically”.
I can understand (for a lack of a better term) Rahm not attending, especially if Rahm’s tact is that “more” needs to be done, and saying that while attending, that could be too awkward for all involved.
There’s such a lack of striving toward compromises that everyone stands, look around, say things, and no one talks to anyone to get passable, build upon the next, bills, and when good work has been done, it’s so glaring because it’s so rare.
Mr. Mayor, Governor… find that commonality here… and other places too.
First, start reaching out to each other.
- NoGifts - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:20 am:
How will guns be delivered to gun ships. Will the UPS man ir postal service delivery guy have to get a FOID?
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:27 am:
===He should talk to the governor about how to pass his bill and what BVR could agree to.===
Yes, because that’s the whole game, right? You know better, and so does Rahm, that almost nothing meaningful can pass the GA. Furthermore, Rahm’s got enough to worry about hoping the state comes through with $200 million for CPS. Why on earth would he ask Rauner for another favor? He’ll be lucky to get the money he needs without promising anything else in return.
The Mayor and the Governor are probably closer to the same position on guns, but both know their version of a meaningful gun law doesn’t stand a chance of passage. And you know it too.
A phone call from the Mayor? Lol. As if.
- Redbright - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:41 am:
Will this bring up discussions about extradition?
A judge just ruled that Kansas, and presumably no state, can strip search cars at the Colorado border looking for weed. I’d assume guns are the same.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 11:41 am:
===almost nothing meaningful can pass the GA===
You’re arguing like a child.
If Rahm believes this is a top priority (and he apparently does), then he should act like it. And acting like it means passing a bill. This new proposal appears to be picking up steam. There isn’t the push-back from black legislators like the last time.
So, again, stop making lame excuses for poor little Rahm.
- Cook County Commoner - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
Seems to me this sort of law merely increases the price illegal gun dealers can demand for their wares. Increased penalties for illegal drug dealers didn’t do much except fill the jails.
- FormerParatrooper - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
“The bill would target repeat gun offenders, creating sentencing guidelines that would suggest a stiffer prison term than the minimum sentence for crimes such as possession of a gun by a felon. If a judge chose to reject the guideline sentence and give a lesser prison term, the judge would have to say why in writing.”
This places sentencing responsibility on the Judges. How many times have we heard that some of these people were given boot camp or a lighter sentence. IF we did give out better sentencing and held these people in prison for the crime they committed, maybe we could put a dent on the crime. This should have gone farther in my opinion, but hopefully this is a start where both sides can find common ground and build from there.
- Generation X - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 12:48 pm:
Two thoughts on proposed legislation regarding repeat gun offenders. First the penalties for Possession by a felon etc are already enhanced. A Judge has ability to sentence them to heavy term currently.
Second a Judge is supposed to explain a sentence anyway through factors in aggravation and mitigation. If they dont follow that law, what makes anyone think they will explain themselves with new guidelines. Also plea deals complicate matters.
This legislation looks like a feel good measure with little effect
- Slippin' Jimmy - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 12:59 pm:
I’m no Rahm fan but he appears to me to be totally inept on most issues Chicago!
- Joe Biden Was Here - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:18 pm:
Rainer says he wants to reduce the prison population be then he signs bills like this to keep people in jail longer. Does not add up…..
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 24, 16 @ 1:22 pm:
===Does not add up===
Oh, come on.
He wants to get non-violent, redeemable people out of prison. Gun runners are a different animal.
Argue like an adult.
- Todd - Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 6:48 am:
The city, through tireless work by Rep Zalewski has been tireless working to try and write a bill.
The reason it couldn’t pass before, was they wanted a mandatory 3 years for any illegal possession of a firearm. The plaxico buress standard from New York. The problem was we didn’t even have carry at the time. and that would mean that a non resident you didn’t under stand our carry laws, faces 3 years of mandatory time.
A person who does case their firearm properly faces 3 years. and on and on.
The real problem are those ineligible for FOIDS and felons in possession. On those we can agree and have.
hat kind of bill could have passed last year. But it wasn’t called. I think segments of the GA wanted to see reforms first before they went along.