Name one currently legal product or activity which you’d like the state to ban, and name one currently illegal product or activity which you’d like the state to legalize.
Okay, this is where I get thrown out of the Republican party, but I would like to see marijuana
legalized and taxed. I would like to see the state make robo calls illegal.
Legal to be banned: Retractable leashes. Those things are a menace. They are a danger to everyone around. I have had at least one pretty severe injury due to one and I have prevented other injuries by grabbing the leash.
Illegal: I don’t see any reasonable distinction between marijuana and alcohol. I would continue to ban it from bars and workplaces though.
Make junk mail illegal — limit the mail to first class and packages.
Make it legal for all Illinois police and government agencies to share information with the Department of Homeland Security concerning the presence of illegal aliens in the State.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:58 am:
legal-marijuana.
illegal-holding the office of Lieutenant Governor.
I am gonna get thrown out of the Republican Party, too - I would legalize prostitution and tax it. What would I make illegal? I agree with a ban on junk mail!
Make it illegal to carry people in the bed of your pickup truck unless you are on farm property. And make those %#&%$## rap-blasting boom cars illegal, with their incessant thumpa-thumpa mixed with the most foul possible language (when it’s even intelligible).
Legal (or more appropriately - amend the Illinois constitution) - to be able to impeach a governor (or more particularly, our current governor).
Illegal - for any Illinois representative, senator, or staffer to receive one single dime of reimbursement, per diem, overtime pay, etc. for going one day into session overtime. No loopholes either, Guvna, like calling it a “special” session instead of overtime.
Rationalize - Our entire criminal code. It’s been written so piecemeal by lawmakers that there is no proportionality between crimes, and separate sections of the code contradict each other regarding penalties for specific acts. A complete rewrite of the criminal code was offered under a task force assembled by Gov. Ryan, but the recommendations were never acted upon.
To clarify, I know there’s a suspension on the death penalty right now, but I say go all out and have the state legislature pass & the governor sign legislation to ban the death penalty outright.
- Longtime lurker, first time poster - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:38 pm:
Legal: driving 80 on rural interstates and 70 on rural state highways
Illegal: Talking on a cell phone while driving, hands free or not
I enjoy a nice jazz cigarette from time to time, I wish it was legal.
I think the Bobbie Steele pension grabbing should’ve been illegal, that goes for everyone whoh works less than 5 years grabbing a full time pension, that is so not cool.
Have a great Memorial Day and Stay Classy Illinois.
Currently legal but ought not be: credit card solicitations.
Not quite illegal, just de facto banned: swimming at Chicago beaches. How and when did this happen? The City’s great natural, recreational resource; yet somehow people get yelled at for wading more than thigh deep. Not talking about bad water quality episodes. Talking about the rowboat-bound teenagers who will begin spreading bad vibes this weekend. An activity that costs no more than a CTA fare and a pair of shorts (and, depending, maybe a top too) is put out of bounds. Alright to walk down the street past the gang bangers, kid; but don’t go into the water. What a waste. People who grew up swimming in actual oceans scratch their heads in collective bewilderment.
Make it illegal - all credit rates that are 7% over prime. No one should be paying over 15% interest on anything right now.
Make it legal - I lived and studied drug laws and red light districts in The Netherlands and Germany. Anyone who thinks legalizing these things here are living in la-la land and need to see the horrific societal damage inflicted by the so-called “victimless” crimes. The sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll generation needs to grow up.
What we need to legalize is freedom to choose our children’s education. It is time to break the slave chains of special interests bend on destroying education for the sake of their salaries.
Legalize - hmmm…I’m tempted to go for minor drug offenses. It would empty out a lot of space in the State prisons, clear up courts, and would generally reduce state spending. Fewer prisoners = Less $. Also, publicly financed elections
Illegalize - Gerrymandering (use the Iowa model) and outside campaign cash from deep pocketed corporate interests like ComEd.
- bored now - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:39 am:
continuing this week’s theme:
legal product or activity to ban: stupidity
illegal product or activity to legalize: leadership
- leigh - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:39 am:
Okay, this is where I get thrown out of the Republican party, but I would like to see marijuana
legalized and taxed. I would like to see the state make robo calls illegal.
- anon - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:41 am:
I would like to see a ban on legislators trying to ban things
- Ferdy - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:44 am:
Legalize - Same-sex marriage
Ban - Appointing relatives to fill the position of dead spouses.
- Gene Parmesan - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:46 am:
Legalize: Marijuana
Illegalize: Teacher Tenure
- Skeeter - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:47 am:
Legal to be banned: Retractable leashes. Those things are a menace. They are a danger to everyone around. I have had at least one pretty severe injury due to one and I have prevented other injuries by grabbing the leash.
Illegal: I don’t see any reasonable distinction between marijuana and alcohol. I would continue to ban it from bars and workplaces though.
- Gregor - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:48 am:
Not pot, but yes, let them grow commercial/industrial hemp between rounds of corn and beans. A variety that is very weak in THC.
- corvax - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:51 am:
non-hunting guns/pot
- Honest Abe - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:54 am:
Make junk mail illegal — limit the mail to first class and packages.
Make it legal for all Illinois police and government agencies to share information with the Department of Homeland Security concerning the presence of illegal aliens in the State.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 9:58 am:
legal-marijuana.
illegal-holding the office of Lieutenant Governor.
- Micky - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 10:00 am:
I am gonna get thrown out of the Republican Party, too - I would legalize prostitution and tax it. What would I make illegal? I agree with a ban on junk mail!
- Ghost - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 10:08 am:
Legalize - same sex marriage
Illegal(ize) - Tenure for teachers (hat tip Gene Parmesan for this idea)
- Addict? - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 10:11 am:
Legal - Drugs. Every last one of them. They’re great, try them.
Illegal - Sobriety
- Shallow Pharnyx - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 10:25 am:
Agree 100% with Corvax
Legalize pot
make non-hunting guns illegal
- GettingJonesed - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 10:28 am:
Ban: for profit blogs
Legalize: Lifetime terms for legislators
- High Roller - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 10:48 am:
Make it illegal to carry people in the bed of your pickup truck unless you are on farm property. And make those %#&%$## rap-blasting boom cars illegal, with their incessant thumpa-thumpa mixed with the most foul possible language (when it’s even intelligible).
- C$ - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 11:09 am:
Legalize: All drugs
Decriminalize: Concealed Carry
- Siyotanka - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 11:12 am:
why not try it..??
Make anything legal…illegal
and anything illegal…legal
- Little Egypt - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 11:35 am:
Legal (or more appropriately - amend the Illinois constitution) - to be able to impeach a governor (or more particularly, our current governor).
Illegal - for any Illinois representative, senator, or staffer to receive one single dime of reimbursement, per diem, overtime pay, etc. for going one day into session overtime. No loopholes either, Guvna, like calling it a “special” session instead of overtime.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:08 pm:
Legalize - Civil unions.
Criminalize - Gun sales by non-licensed dealers.
Rationalize - Our entire criminal code. It’s been written so piecemeal by lawmakers that there is no proportionality between crimes, and separate sections of the code contradict each other regarding penalties for specific acts. A complete rewrite of the criminal code was offered under a task force assembled by Gov. Ryan, but the recommendations were never acted upon.
- Johnny USA - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:12 pm:
Make Illegal -
1. Smoking in private residence where children are present.
2. All pets traveling in vehicles must be restrained.
- It Makes Cents... - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:34 pm:
Ban: The Organ Donation Program, oops! I meant helmetless motorcyclists.
Decriminalize: Minor drug possession, freeing up prison space.
- Some Guy - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:36 pm:
Legalize: Mattress tag removal. Either that or pot.
Make illegal: Death penalty.
- Some Guy - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:38 pm:
To clarify, I know there’s a suspension on the death penalty right now, but I say go all out and have the state legislature pass & the governor sign legislation to ban the death penalty outright.
- Longtime lurker, first time poster - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:38 pm:
Legal: driving 80 on rural interstates and 70 on rural state highways
Illegal: Talking on a cell phone while driving, hands free or not
- Ken in Aurora - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:44 pm:
Make illegal: Shell bills, passage of legislation without a public review period.
Make legal: CCW, same sex marriage.
- rachel - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:55 pm:
make illegal: nepotism
Legalize: pot
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 12:58 pm:
I enjoy a nice jazz cigarette from time to time, I wish it was legal.
I think the Bobbie Steele pension grabbing should’ve been illegal, that goes for everyone whoh works less than 5 years grabbing a full time pension, that is so not cool.
Have a great Memorial Day and Stay Classy Illinois.
- Ivory-billed Woodpecker - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 1:18 pm:
Currently legal but ought not be: credit card solicitations.
Not quite illegal, just de facto banned: swimming at Chicago beaches. How and when did this happen? The City’s great natural, recreational resource; yet somehow people get yelled at for wading more than thigh deep. Not talking about bad water quality episodes. Talking about the rowboat-bound teenagers who will begin spreading bad vibes this weekend. An activity that costs no more than a CTA fare and a pair of shorts (and, depending, maybe a top too) is put out of bounds. Alright to walk down the street past the gang bangers, kid; but don’t go into the water. What a waste. People who grew up swimming in actual oceans scratch their heads in collective bewilderment.
- Loop Lady - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 1:26 pm:
Legalize: Prostitution, a victimless “crime”
Make Illegal: Chewing tobacco, YUCK!
- The Conservative - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 1:34 pm:
Legalize conseal carry after back ground check and fire arms trainning.
- Patriot - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 1:38 pm:
Legalize freedom of choice in all matters concerning self. Ban tyranny.
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 1:49 pm:
Make it illegal - all credit rates that are 7% over prime. No one should be paying over 15% interest on anything right now.
Make it legal - I lived and studied drug laws and red light districts in The Netherlands and Germany. Anyone who thinks legalizing these things here are living in la-la land and need to see the horrific societal damage inflicted by the so-called “victimless” crimes. The sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll generation needs to grow up.
What we need to legalize is freedom to choose our children’s education. It is time to break the slave chains of special interests bend on destroying education for the sake of their salaries.
- Captain America - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 1:55 pm:
Civil unions should be legalized.
Marijuana posseession and use should be decriminalized. Medical marijuana use should be legalized.
- What's in a name? - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 2:18 pm:
Jeez, this site is popular with the dopers.
Legalize: Rural Interstates should be like the autoban-no speed limit.
Make illegal: anything that annoys me. It is all about me, right.
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 2:53 pm:
I’d allow the law-abiding citizens of Chicago to able to carry a gun.
I’d like to make guns in the hands of the Open Air Drug Market Salesman double illegal.
Maybe that’ll even the playing field.
- Herself - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 3:01 pm:
Legalize marijuana
- The Conservative - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 3:10 pm:
Anyone that carries a gun during the commission of a crime mandatory sentance, no good time, no parole.
- Anon - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 3:12 pm:
Term limits for constitutional officers. Governor 2 terms; all the rest 3 terms.
- A Citizen - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 3:23 pm:
Legal - Illinois as a Red State
Illegal - Governors that don’t go to work every day at their official office in Chicago or Springfield.
- NIEVA - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 3:46 pm:
I guess this old 1973 grad would make it legal to smoke a fatboy. And Illegal for anyone to hold office longer than three terms!
- QC Transplant - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 3:55 pm:
Legalize — Sports Betting on Super Bowl Day
Illegalize — Gerrymandering
- ole timer - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 4:18 pm:
Legalize: Deportation of illegal aliens (oh, that’s right; it already IS)
Criminalize: ALL Political Lobbyists
- Larry Mullholland - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 6:18 pm:
Legalize Industrial hemp, Medical Marijuana and might as well legalize the recreational pot as well.
Make Illegal the high rate payday loans
- Way Northsider - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 8:41 pm:
Ban guns. Legalize civil unions.
- so-called "Austin Mayor" - Friday, May 25, 07 @ 8:50 pm:
Legalize: Marijuana
Criminalize: Cubs fans
– SCAM
- Tony - Saturday, May 26, 07 @ 9:40 pm:
Legalize - drugs, specifically marijuana
Outlaw - vigilante organizations such as the Minutemen
- Jerry - Sunday, May 27, 07 @ 9:47 am:
Legalize - hmmm…I’m tempted to go for minor drug offenses. It would empty out a lot of space in the State prisons, clear up courts, and would generally reduce state spending. Fewer prisoners = Less $. Also, publicly financed elections
Illegalize - Gerrymandering (use the Iowa model) and outside campaign cash from deep pocketed corporate interests like ComEd.
Basically, rewrite the ethics and elections code.