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*** UPDATED x1 *** More concealed carry details

Monday, Jul 1, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller

[UPDATE: Password protection removed since at least one mainstream media outlet appears to have stolen it.]

* An outline of the concealed carry amendatory veto was shared by the governor’s office with some select legislators late this afternoon. The only caveat, I’m told, is that the outline was preliminary. Some items may be dropped, some may be changed, more may be added by the time the governor unveil his AV Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock.

The draft of the actual amendatory veto is here. Remember, this is a draft, not a final version.

* Here is the outline…

1) Re-defines “concealed firearm” to mean a handgun “completely covered or not visible from the view of the public” (rather than “completely or mostly concealed”).

2) Limits a licensee to carrying one magazine capable of holding 10 rounds or less (the original bill did not include a limitation).

3) Prohibits carrying in any establishment where alcohol may be consumed, except for a private residence or private club.

4) Reverses the presumption of where licensees can carry – licensees can only carry in locations where the property owner has posted a sign indicating permission to carry concealed firearms on the property. Accordingly, removes the requirement that owners of prohibited places must post signs.

5) Provides that an employer may prohibit an employee from carrying or bringing a firearm onto the employer’s entire property, thereby allowing an employer to prohibit an employee from storing a firearm in a car parked in the employer’s parking lot. In HB 183’s “safe harbor” provision, an employee can keep his or her firearm in the car while parked in the lot, even if the employer prohibits firearms on the property.

6) Requires the licensee to lock the firearm in a case before exiting the vehicle when parked in a prohibited location and prohibits the licensee from carrying the firearm outside of the car into a prohibited parking area for any purpose. In HB 183, a licensee can carry an unloaded firearm in the immediate area surrounding the car in order to store it or retrieve it from the trunk. The AV would remove this part of the “safe harbor” provision.

7) Provides that law enforcement and school officials reporting clear & present danger need only to report directly to law enforcement, rather than to DHS.

8) Allows certain, non-confidential information to be disclosed under FOIA & the Open Meetings Act.

9) Completely removes the assault weapon ban preemption, thereby restoring home rule authority to enact an assault weapons ban without limitation.

Expect the governor to play up the removal of the assault weapons ban preemption.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** The father problem and the rumor mill

Friday, Jun 28, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller

* David Axelrod says the obvious: Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s father issue is gonna be a big problem if she runs for governor…

“I think Lisa is a tremendous public official. I have a maximum high regard for her,” he said. “I think this is a genuine problem. I think it’s one she has to resolve before she makes a decision.”

How she resolves it is between her and her father, he said.

“I think as talented and as strong a candidate as she is, it’s going to be hard to make the case that the governor and the Speaker of the House can be father and daughter . . . particularly when the Speaker is as powerful as this Speaker is,” he said. “People want the branches of government to be independent. No matter what your intentions, it’s going to be very hard for them to persuade people that’s going to be the case. I think it’s an issue for her to resolve. I’m sure there are many reasons for her to consider running but this seems like an issue for her to resolve.”

It was difficult to think of a politically palatable scenario where Michael Madigan remained in his position while his daughter ran for governor, Axelrod said.

“I think that’s very hard, I really think that’s really hard,” Axelrod said. “I say that without a trace of animus at all. I really admire her, I like her, she’s a great person and great political official.”

It was a real problem in 2002, when she ran for attorney general, but the decision was made to forge ahead regardless. It’ll be an even bigger problem now. The question is, does she want to deal with such a brutal campaign.

* For her part, at least publicly, AG Madigan says her father can stay right where he is…

Madigan, after serving on a panel Thursday hosted by the influential Emily’s List at Willis Tower, was unequivocal when posed the question now being constantly raised. “He wouldn’t have to. He wouldn’t have to step down,” she retorted to a reporter, emphasizing the move would not be a requirement.

Asked then — if not a requirement — whether she believed he should step down should she make a 2014 gubernatorial bid, Madigan was more cagey.

“I’m not going to give my father political advice,” she said.

* I’m gonna give you the same advice I gave to subscribers this morning. Do not read too much into the tea leaves and ignore the rumors. Nothing is confirmed so far. Just let it play out.

With that in mind…

Moderated by MSNBC’s Karen Finney, [the “Strength in Numbers: Women Leading the Way,” forum] was a frank and intimate discussion of the challenges facing women running for and managing life in political office, by a group dedicated to increasing their numbers nationwide.

On stage, Madigan was asked by Finney the other frequent question. Will she run?

“Well, here’s what I will say. First and foremost, there are other pieces of this that are absolutely a necessity if you’re a woman, and that is the support of other women. I’m very lucky that that base is there,” Madigan responded.

“In terms of decision-making, a lot of fundraising is going on, and now I have a treadmill in my office so I can walk as I make those calls. Yes, you will have a decision sooner rather than later,” she said. […]

“Emily’s has been proud to support Lisa from the beginning. We think she’s done a fantastic job as attorney general, and we do think she would make a fantastic governor,” Schriock said.

* Also keeping that admonition in mind, Sneed…

Sneed hears Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who continues to be the recipient of big bucks fundraisers, has told people privately she plans to wait another four years to run for governor.

Isn’t that because her father, powerful Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan — who is considered a political liability for her — has no intention of retiring in the near future? Betcha.

Isn’t that a sigh of relief Sneed is hearing from Dem gubernatorial hopeful Bill Daley? Betcha.

I heard the same rumor yesterday, and worked it but was unable to find anyone she’d talked to.

That LMadigan revelation, by the way, was the third Sneedling down, behind two Blackhawks-related items.

I love Sneed. Truly, I do. She’s invaluable. But what she wrote today is just a rumor at this point.

*** UPDATE *** After some commenters wondered aloud where AG Madigan was using a treadmill to make campaign calls, I checked with her office and was told the treadmill is at her campaign office. So, there ‘ya go.

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