* This is not a bad idea at all. The General Assembly has sent Gov. Pat Quinn a bill to allow museums and aquariums to stop giving free passes to out-of-staters…
The Illinois House passed a measure Thursday by a vote of 107-0, with one lawmaker voting present. It would bar non-Illinoisans from taking advantage of the 52 free days that museums and aquariums are required under state law to offer each year.
The measure could bring in $11 million for Chicago’s cultural institutions.
The sole “Present” vote was Rep. Sandra Pihos.
…Adding… Or maybe it isn’t a good idea. From Yellow Dog Democrat in comments…
The bill might save museum’s money, but the big trade-off is that you’ll also likely see a big drop in attendance, and dropping attendance from out-of-state visitors means a drop in significant tourism dollars.
For example, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum are pretty much day long affairs. Getting a couple and their two kids to spend an extra day and hotel night in Chicago so they can save $120 on admission to a museum is a VERY good deal.
Plus, the free days tend to be middle-of-the-week when museums are open but traffic is low.
* An e-mail message from the Illinois State Rifle Association…
We have good news and bad news regarding HB148, the 2011 Concealed Carry Bill.
The good news is that this year’s concealed carry bill enjoys broad bi-partisan support from around the state. The reason for this success is that the bill has been carefully crafted to address some legislators’ concerns about public safety while, at the same time, ensuring that the provisions of the bill will allow for citizens to protect themselves and their families from dangerous criminals. This bill has been so fine-tuned that there is absolutely no practical reason for anyone to oppose HB148.
The bad news is that the Chicago Gun Grabbing Machine has switched into overdrive in its efforts to kill off H148 so that you and your family remain defenseless against muggers, murderers, robbers and rapists. The gun control movement is using threats, intimidation and outright lies in its attempt to coerce members of the House of Representatives to vote against HB148.
I’ve asked for details about the alleged “threats, intimidation and outright lies” by opponents, but I’m still awaiting a response.
…Adding… From the other side of the equation comes this e-mail…
Help Stop “Ticking Time Bomb” Gun Bill
Dear xxxxx,
HB 148, a dangerous gun bill that will allow mentally ill individuals to carry concealed, loaded guns in public, will be voted on this week by the Illinois House.
Please call your state Representative today and say VOTE NO on HB 148 - this dangerous bill will put Illinois lives at risk.
* The Illinois Review has questions about Rep. Lou Lang’s medical marijuana bill…
•Will medical pot smokers be allowed to take their medicine in public facilities, or will they need to stand 15 feet outside the doors as tobacco consumers are required to do?
•Will legalized medical pot be allowed inside junior high, high schools or college dorms?
•Will Illinois lawmakers authorize local law officials to ignore federal law concerning medical cannabis?
All they have to do is read Lang’s amendment and their questions would be answered. This ain’t brain surgery.
The answers to the first two questions are included in the section on possession and usage prohibitions…
(2) Possessing cannabis, or otherwise engaging in the medical use of cannabis:
(A) in a school bus;
(B) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school; or
(C) in any correctional facility.
(3) Smoking cannabis:
(A) on any form of public transportation; or
(B) in any public place.
And the answer to the third question is in the preamble…
States are not required to enforce federal law or prosecute people for engaging in activities prohibited by federal law. Therefore, compliance with this act does not put the state of Illinois in violation of federal law.
* Related…
* State Senate to get new workers comp reform plan
* Bill aims to expand medical district to Belleville
* Many area bars still allow smoking despite state ban
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:00 am:
– The gun control movement is using threats, intimidation and outright lies in its attempt to coerce members of the House of Representatives to vote against HB148.–
Clearly, House members need to be armed in the General Assembly to stand up to this assault, as I believe HB 148 would allow. Lobbyists, too. Just not regular citizens.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:03 am:
1. The bill does not bar free admission for out-of-state residents, it simply only drops the requirement, so the savings are not automatic.
2. The measure does not apply to the Art Institute, which is governed by the Illinois Supreme Court’s Montgomery Ward decision, and required to provide free admission.
3. The bill might save museum’s money, but the big trade-off is that you’ll also likely see a big drop in attendance, and dropping attendance from out-of-state visitors means a drop in significant tourism dollars.
For example, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum are pretty much day long affairs. Getting a couple and their two kids to spend an extra day and hotel night in Chicago so they can save $120 on admission to a museum is a VERY good deal.
Plus, the free days tend to be middle-of-the-week when museums are open but traffic is low.
Every summer, my family would make the annual trip to the St. Louis Zoo — free-to-all — and spend our hard-earned dollars in Missouri.
If Missouri retaliates by now charging admissions to Illinoisans, that will be a sad thing.
- Redbright - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:06 am:
That museum idea is TERRIBLE. Museums will have to fully staff the cashiering section just to check IDs to give our free passes. The number of non-IL attendees who pay won’t even begin to cover the cost of that.
You’ll note the amount of $ that is supposed to result is not Will-bring-in. It’s Could bring in …….. based on faux numbers. The people who don’t pay now are not likely to pay in the future either.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:06 am:
Thanks, YDD. Noted at the top.
- LJC - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:06 am:
I’d hope they’d include an exemption for students or active-duty military stationed here
- TimB - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:07 am:
Word, read the amendment going before the Ag committee, please!
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:07 am:
“The sole “Present” vote was Rep. Sandra Pihos.”
Can’t figure this out, especially if she wants to run against Sandack.
- Oy - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:25 am:
Perhaps they could reduce the number of free days to make everyone happy? Cut that number in half maybe?
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:28 am:
YDD,
Man, your on a roll today!
Add to your list the Museum stores that pull in beaucoup dollars, and many visitors will sign up to be patrons, which is a license to print money for the Museums.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:32 am:
“States are not required to enforce federal law or prosecute people for engaging in activities prohibited by federal law. Therefore, compliance with this act does not put the state of Illinois in violation of federal law.”
I believe that is correct, unless there is a provision in Federal law, usually tied to some money, that require enforcement of a particular statute. I don’t know if there are any Federally attached dollars to the gun issue. Todd?
- Wondering Aimless... - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:36 am:
HB 148…..Rich has anyone heard when the bill is going to be called for vote?
- Todd - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:45 am:
Cinci– i don’t understand your question?
- Seriously??? - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:51 am:
How are the museums supposed to know who is out of state and who is not? The enforcment of something like that would be insane.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:56 am:
Todd,
OOPS. I just this second realized you are the 2nd amendment guy, not the pot guy. Sorry for the confusion, you have enough to worry about in the Concealed Carry thread.
Sometimes the Feds will have strings attached to dollars sent to a state than can require certain Federal statutes to be enforced as a condition for receiving the funds. I was questioning whether there were such attachments to the pot laws.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 11:57 am:
Tim B, thanks for pointing out House Amendment 2. Certainly more exclusions than the original bill.
- Louis XVI - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 12:31 pm:
Brain surgery for the medical marijuana opponents wouldn’t hurt, might help.
- Todd - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 12:37 pm:
All the fed gunlaws get charged in federal court and are the purview of the us attorneys. ISP did get a million dollar grant to improve their records and database that they have not been able to spend becuase of the new procurement law.
I will note that DOJ is saying if you use medical MJ, the you cant fill out a 4473 to buy a guy cuase you are an illegal use of an illegal drug.
There isna fight going on about it in those states that have legalized it.