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Oddities and ends

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* The coppers say they’re OK with concealed carry…

Leaders of the Illinois Assn. of Chiefs of Police voted Wednesday to change their stance on the issue. They now support legalizing concealed carry.

It’s a big boost for those trying to repeal Illinois’s ban on the concealed carrying of handguns. The group of top cops had long opposed the idea. They voted two years to go neutral on the issue. […]

Supporters of concealed carry admit privately that their prospects have vastly improved since Richard M. Daley announced his impending retirement.

Daley is a vigorous opponent of concealed carry. But his influence in the State Capitol is vastly diminished since he became a lame duck.

* Two residents were allegedly murdered and more allegedly tortured at a Downstate group home for the developmentally disabled and we haven’t heard a thing from the attorney general’s office. But, man, don’t let your pool get dirty…

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Wednesday she issued a temporary restraining order against ABVI Management Inc., which owns America’s Best Value Inn in O’Fallon, to keep the hotel’s indoor pool closed following numerous sanitation violations.

Inspectors with the St. Clair County Health Department said they found a pool that was so dirty, the pool’s bottom wasn’t visible. They said the pool lacked a mechanical system to prevent humidity and mold. Hotel staff also allegedly failed to fill out daily reports monitoring the pool’s chlorine and pH levels.

* Maybe not as odd as it may seem…

The other day, it was the “road-kill bill,'’ allowing Illinois hunters to scoop up fur-bearing mammals from highways.

Today, it was a bill cracking down on people who steal those plastic stackable milk crates from behind grocery stores, to recycle them for money.

It was during floor debate over the milk-crate thing that Jack Franks had had enough. The Woodstock Democrat launched into an angry speech about Illinois’ already-overcrowded law books, and the Legislature’s habit of hyper-legislating on petty issues while virtually ignoring its looming fiscal crisis.

During the tirade, he tossed out this off-the-cuff remark: “Maybe we should have a law that if you pass a law, you have to take two (laws) off the books!'’

* So much for helping the farmers…

Hopes that Illinois farmers could grow industrial hemp went up in smoke Thursday in the Illinois House.

House Bill 1383, sponsored by Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, which would have allowed farmers to get permits to grow hemp, was soundly defeated in the House. […]

However, Dunkin’s House colleagues overwhelmingly disagreed with the measure. They defeated his bill on a 28-83 vote.

One argument was that the plants would still be classified as a controlled substance, and growing them in Illinois would conflict with federal law.

* Some might call this political correctness. I think I’d disagree with them…

The Illinois House Thursday took a step toward wiping offensive terms used toward people with disabilities out of the state law books.

Rep. Emily McAsey, a Lockport Democrat, said she worked closely with the Arc of Illinois, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, to encourage the state to take the lead on using empowering language and eliminating offensive terms. […]

The measure would change all occurrence of the phrase “mentally retarded” in state statute to “intellectually disabled.”

A similar proposal pending in the Senate also would change “crippled” to “physically disabled” in state laws. That measure is sponsored by Palatine Sen. Matt Murphy, and was inspired by Palatine-based attorney Kerry Lavelle, who has a disabled sister and approached Murphy with the idea.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 1:53 pm

Comments

A bill to prevent stealing? Uh, it’s called theft and it’s already illegal.

Comment by Edison Parker Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:04 pm
Huge win for conceal carry. Opponents might want to start looking to make the best deal they can.

Perhaps, rather than issued by the ISP, amend to have issued by sheriffs in counties of residence like in other states. And say, counties over 4 million “may” issue, rather than “shall.”

That way, Cook at least could have a little more control on who gets and who doesn’t.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:14 pm
Edison it was a bill to require proof of ownership before you could sell the stolen crates. Would also create a paper trail.

Comment by Kyle Hillman Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:16 pm
“When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.”

Legislators legislate, or in Illinois’ case, over legislate. I was on the rail Wednesday listening to the grueling debate over amending the vehicle code to do something about plowing snow from private driveways.

Really? Is the problem so bad that we need to change the law? Meanwhile, while the General Assembly fiddles waiting for the leaders to agree on the really big stuff, the mushrooms debate meaningless drivel like milk crate theft and roadkill harvesting.

It makes my head hurt.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:17 pm
Isn’t this why we have county health departments.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:18 pm
“The measure would change all occurrence of the phrase “mentally retarded” in state statute to “intellectually disabled.”

It’s about time. As a special education instructor and a parent of a learning disabled child, I believe this is long overdue.

Do you know how painful it is for parents and students when the teacher has to emphasize the official label for that child is ‘mentally retarded’ during yearly required IEP (Individual Education Program/Plan) school meetings?

In my school, we have refused to use this term, recently. Instead we use cognitive disability in our language.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:20 pm
Why don’t people call concealed carry what it actually is, people walking around with hidden guns. Makes me feel safer!

I like Franks idea.

Comment by Ahoy Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:31 pm
Franks is absolutely right. We should rate legislators on how FEW bills they introduce and how FEW they vote for. The default position is to vote for everything without substantial consideration. How can they substantially consider 6000 bills?

But Franks doesn’t go far enough. It isn’t just that they should be focusing on the budget instead of milk crates, which they should. But also, they should be paying attention to the costs of all the bills they pass. They are not even doing fiscal notes. Legislators are denying the budget problem each time they pass a law without a fiscal note. This is the only article I have even seen on this issue at all.

http://progressillinois.com/posts/content/2011/03/29/advocates-seek-new-road-criminal-justice-policy%20%20

Comment by Dan Bureaucrat Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:37 pm
Dear Illinois House: you are not friends of farmers because your Hemp legislation vote puts Illinois behind other states. What
does Kentucky know that we don’t? How to help farmers make money. Special note to law enforcement, it’s clear that you don’t know plant science.

Comment by amalia Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 2:46 pm
So you guys are saying if I ran for the ILGA on a platform to repeal laws, you’d give me some campaign cash love? :):)

Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:07 pm
“That way, Cook at least could have a little more control on who gets and who doesn’t.”

Word,
Can you explain to me why Cook county should have more control over who is able to exercise a right than other citizens in the state? They all pass the same background check, they all pass the same course, they all meet the same state and federal laws for firearm ownership. Why is Cook different?? Second class citizens??

TimB

Comment by TimB Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:07 pm
Sox thread?

Comment by amalia Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:11 pm
TimB, take a breath. No rights are absolute. None.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:14 pm
No trouble breathing here Rich. Just wondered why there needs to be a distinction based on where a person lives? If the same standards are met, and the same behaviour is expected, why the difference in issuance?

Comment by TimB Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:21 pm
===Just wondered why there needs to be a distinction based on where a person lives?===

I think you’ll find that obtaining press credentials varies by community. So does obtaining permits to demonstrate. Lobbyist registration also varies.

All three of those are regulations of freedoms covered under the 1st Amendment.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:29 pm
Tim B, Rep. Phelps bill seeks to create a licensed or permitted privilege subject to various criteria and limitations.

If it’s a “right,” than no bill is necessary, is it?

Within the framework of the bill, I believe it’s reasonable to entertain additional exclusions and limitations to the ones already there.

Indeed, the bill currently envisions a super-privilege for lawmakers and lobbyists to carry concealed firearms in the Capitol building, one that would not be available to anyone else.

I guess that would make 99.9% of us second-class citizens in the Capitol.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:31 pm
Do we not already help the farmers enough? I mean, they do feed the world and all (snark), but at what point to you call it enough?

Comment by Slick Willy Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:38 pm
Anybody happen to notice the scores of our respective baseball teams? Oh look! the Sox had scored 14 already by the 4th.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:42 pm
“If it’s a “right,” than no bill is necessary, is it?”

Ultimately, that’s correct. And four states have recognized that. And another half dozen or so are moving in that direction.

Regulation of the First Amend rights that Rich speaks of is to prevent infringment of other’s rights. An unregulated demonstration might prevent free passage down a public street, unregulated lobbying might infringe on the right of legislators to do their jobs. And we all know about yelling “fire” in a crowded theatre. But, allowing a law abiding person to carry a firearm for personal protection infringes on no one else’s rights.

Comment by TimB Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 3:51 pm
===But, allowing a law abiding person to carry a firearm for personal protection infringes on no one else’s rights.===

Unless you’re shot by one of them.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 4:05 pm
Yes, there are too many bills. And too many laws. But Franks needs to practice what he preaches…check out this trailblazing bill that he filed a few years back:

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Requires the owner of a movie theatre to post, for each movie shown in his or her theatre, the separate start times for the movie trailers and the actual movie.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=94&DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=1472&GAID=8&SessionID=50&LegID=16275

Comment by unspun Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 4:07 pm
I mean, seriously, look at the ludicrous comparison here. An unpermitted demonstration might impede traffic. An unregistered lobster might impede a legislator (how, I don’t know). An uncarded journalist might… well, you didn’t say. But somebody who wants to carry a concealed weapon can’t be regulated in different ways in different towns?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 4:09 pm
“The measure would change all occurrence of the phrase “mentally retarded” in state statute to “intellectually disabled.”

“A similar proposal pending in the Senate also would change “crippled” to “physically disabled” in state laws.”

Would these bills also address this provision of the guardianship law which says that one of the definitions of a disabled person is one who “because of gambling, idleness, debauchery or excessive use of intoxicants or drugs, so spends or wastes his estate as to expose himself of his family to want or suffering”? I don’t know the politically correct term for “idleness” or “debauchery.”

Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 4:18 pm
As long as the ‘local rules’ don’t make it where you have to figure out, I can’t carry here because I don’t have enough liability insurance, but in Naperville I can.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 4:20 pm
“Unless you’re shot by one of them.”
Ahh..but there’s already laws against that. And the statistics provided by none other than the VPC recently would suggest that a CCW license holder is 119 time LESS likely to commit a violent crime than a non licensed civilian.

Comment by TimB Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 4:21 pm
–“If it’s a “right,” than no bill is necessary, is it?”

Ultimately, that’s correct.–

Until then, to the bill…

Rep. Phelps bill already envisions places where law-abiding citizens cannot carry weapons under any circumstances. And, as noted before, places where only a super-privileged class of citizens can carry weapons.

Within that framework, it’s reasonable that there might be some local jurisdictions that would wish to have broader limitations and stricter qualifying criteria.

I’d suggest they get busy.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 1, 11 @ 4:28 pm