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* Rep. Morgan…
Following is a statement from Rep. Bob Morgan, the chair of the House Safety & Reform Working Group, on the passage of the Protect Illinois Communities in the House of Representatives, including a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines:
“This passage by the House is a monumental step, and all the activists, organizers and survivors who have flooded this building with their advocacy should be proud of this achievement. This is your victory. We aren’t done yet–but this legislative action represents serious progress on the road to full passage. I want to thank Speaker Welch for his leadership and guidance as we have worked to negotiate this package and move forward on the path to passing this life-saving, common sense legislation.”
* Speaker Welch…
“Tonight, I want to congratulate the Firearms Safety Working Group and the Reproductive Health Working Group. More importantly, I want to thank the members whose leadership, hard work, compromise, and compassion have allowed us to find purpose and progress in the pain and trauma so many have felt.
It is thanks to their months of hard work that the Illinois House passed common-sense gun reform and necessary protections for reproductive health care. We know that the work is not done; we will continue looking for opportunities to engage stakeholders and continuing to do the work to move Illinois forward.”
* Gov. Pritzker…
Following the Illinois House of Representatives taking action on several bills today, Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement.
For months lawmakers and advocates have been hard at work negotiating two very critical pieces of legislation to keep Illinoisans safe. Tonight, with the leadership and support of Speaker Welch, the Illinois House passed critical reproductive health protections and an assault weapons ban. The people of Illinois send us to Springfield to tackle tough issues and these bills are historic steps in the right direction. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Illinois Senate to get bills addressing these issues to my desk so I can sign them as soon as possible.
I’d like to thank Rep. Cassidy for her tireless work to protect reproductive healthcare and Rep. Morgan for his work to get weapons of war off our streets.
* Rep. Niemerg…
The Illinois House has approved another extreme abortion rights bill and has once again taken aim at the rights of parents, according to State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich).
The House approved SB 1534, which was amended to include more radical pro-abortion language. The bill paves the way for mobile abortion clinics and allows physician’s assistants to administer certain types of abortions.
“When is enough, enough? We pass abortion bill after abortion after abortion bill after abortion bill,” Niemerg said. “The other side is talking about the physician and the patient but what about the parents? I’m a father. There are many mothers and fathers who want to be involved in their kids’ lives. But the radical Democrat majority repealed parental notification. Now we are making it so that physician assistants can perform abortions and we are putting a mobile abortion clinic in southern Illinois. They have removed all liability for abortion clinics. So now a 14-year-old girl can be driven to an abortion clinic by her boyfriend, and she can have that abortion and that child could die on the table with no liability for abortion clinic and the parents wouldn’t know anything about it until it was all over. It is time we started talking about the parents. When is enough, enough? It is obvious there are no restrictions on abortion the proponents of this bill will support.”
Senate Bill 1534 now moves to the Illinois Senate for further consideration.
* ISRA…
The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) harshly condemns the actions of the Illinois General Assembly as it prepares to vote in the Senate on a comprehensive ban of hundreds of types of firearms across Illinois.
“The Illinois General Assembly is working to pass a bill that the law-abiding gun owners across the state will fear, but criminals will ignore, as they already do to the dozens of laws already on the books,” said Richard Pearson, Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association. “What is most alarming is the impact this will happen on police departments as they try to determine how to implement this law on their law-abiding constituents,” Pearson added.
Pearson echoed the concerns and the alarm felt by ISRA members and the thousands of other FOID card-carrying individuals across the state who rely on their firearms for safety.
Our members, concerned citizens, and members of the law enforcement community are being urged to call their senators in their Springfield offices to have their voices heard on SB 2226 HA2.
The link to the bill can be found here:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=10200SB2226ham002&GA=102&SessionId=110&DocTypeId=SB&LegID=134879&DocNum=2226&GAID=16&SpecSess=&Session=Should the bill pass the Senate and be signed into law, the ISRA will work with other groups and concerned citizens across the state who put their personal safety first and will advocate for repeal in the next session of the Illinois General Assembly as well as consider litigation on what many believe is a constitutionally flawed bill.
“A comprehensive bill targeting the weapon but not the individual who is committing a crime with them is doomed to failure,” said Terry Kreimeier, retired Will County Sheriff Deputy. “Illinoisans want bills that disarm those who should not have firearms, not those who have trained, have complied with all laws, and are state approved to have them.”
* Illinois Freedom Caucus…
The Illinois Freedom Caucus today is issuing the following statement on the passage of Amendment 3 to SB 2226 (the latest version of House Bill 5855) which represents the most expansive gun control measure in the history of the state.
“Once again, we come to the end of the legislative session and the majority party pushes through a massive bill giving rank and file members only a few minutes to read it before voting on it. This legislation is not simple. It is a complex measure that should be seen in the light of day instead of pushed through in the dead of night.
The corrupt leaders in our state care nothing for the rights of members to cast informed votes nor do they care about the honest citizens whose rights are being trampled with this unconstitutional legislation. Illinois is one of the most restrictive states in the country for gun ownership and yet it is also one of the most violent states in the nation.
Multiple studies have shown that restricting the Constitutional rights of responsible citizens does not deter crime. The only thing this legislation accomplishes is to make a direct attack on our Second Amendment rights. The respect for individual liberty found in the Bill of Rights is what has made our country a ‘city upon a hill.’ As lawmakers, it is our duty to protect and preserve the Constitution. We believe every member of the House who voted for this legislation violated their oath of office by supporting a bill they know is on its face unconstitutional. Today is a sad day for liberty and freedom. Tyranny reigns supreme in the Illinois Legislature. We will continue to stand firm in our opposition to unconstitutional laws and any and all threats to our rights and freedoms as American citizens.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
* Rep. Harper…
Following the passage early Friday morning of the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), state Rep. Sonya M. Harper, D-Chicago, issued the following statement.
“Last night, we made progress in promoting public safety in our state. The bill my colleagues and I voted on and passed promises to improve public safety in our state in many ways. It is important, however, that we not forget that assault weapons and mass shootings are only part of the problem we face. I hope I will not be misunderstood: the Protect Illinois Communities Act represents a significant—and necessary—step in protecting our communities. It is an accomplishment of which we should be proud. However, the fact is that assault weapons only account for about 3% of gun crimes nationwide, and mass shootings are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the totality of the gun violence that people in our state have been experiencing on a daily basis for decades—especially in majority-minority and other historically disinvested communities. Again, last night’s historic achievement should in no way be diminished. But more remains to be done. I look forward to working with Governor Pritzker and legislative leadership throughout the coming session to develop and pass common sense solutions that address the most common and incessant forms of gun violence which remain a serious problem throughout our state. We have done a good thing, but we cannot rest with the job unfinished.”
*** UPDATE *** We may be seeing more of this as groups try to pressure the Senate into taking action. NASW IL..
Last night the Illinois House passed the Patient And Provider Protection Act (PAPPA) which was a culmination of months of negotiations by stakeholders. This bill not only protects patients and social workers who work in abortion-related services but also protects our clients and social workers who work in gender-affirming care from aggressive attacks from states wishing to strip rights and protections from these individuals.
Unfortunately, the Illinois Senate’s competing bill that was posted this week stripped out protections for social workers who provide gender-affirming care and protections for our clients seeking out those services. The lessons learned from the last election should not be to stand with groups like Awake Illinois, whose aggressive approach threatens and attacks our client’s very existence.
Children and adolescents who identify as LGBTQIA+ face numerous challenges that can negatively affect their mental health in Illinois. In addition to discrimination, harassment, and violence, LGBTQIA+ people face family rejection, inadequate support, and a lack of inclusive education and healthcare, including enough mental health professionals. Young LGBTQIA+ people may also be more likely to develop mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality due to these stressors.
We already have a shortage of quality-affirming practitioners in Illinois. As clinicians licensed in multiple states fear challenges to their licenses and livelihoods, the added stressors from outside states that propose legislation that would impose their regressive policies on abortion and gender-affirming health care will only further worsen our shortage situation. Providing gender-affirming care is fraught with risks due to unclear laws, and one of the most frequently asked questions social workers are now asking is related to these risks.
In Illinois, LGBTQIA+ youth have found a welcoming beacon, but this light can shine only as long as Illinois affirms its commitment to its protections. During a time when extremist groups like Awake Illinois attack and bully our children, we look to our legislative leadership to reaffirm that hate has no place here in Illinois. The legislative leadership must reaffirm that social workers’ critical work is protected as they strive to heal the horrible wounds thrust on our children.
It is essential that Illinois protect healthcare providers and our clients seeking out abortion and gender-affirming healthcare. Social workers in Illinois are watching, and we expect the Illinois Senate to follow the lead of the Illinois House on this issue. The LGBTQIA+ children are watching, and they want the Illinois Senate to join the Illinois House in reassuring them that they are seen, wanted, and protected.
The Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers urges the Illinois Senate to support the Patient And Provider Protection Act as written and passed by the Illinois House.
And…
Today, the Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC) released the following statement from its CEO Kathleen Sances following reports that proposed statewide bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines passed the House. The bill will now be deliberated by the Senate.
“By passing the assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in the House, our lawmakers are prioritizing public safety over the gun lobby’s agenda. We are grateful to Representative Bob Morgan, Speaker Emanuel Welch and the House working committee for their leadership on this issue. Its passage through the House represents a critical first step in removing assault weapons and large-capacity magazines off our streets.
“Since July, G-PAC has stood firmly with gun violence prevention advocates and survivors to demand our lawmakers work to halt the assault on our families and communities. We are grateful to the network of activists who have helped us keep the pressure on Springfield and ensure gun safety remains top of mind for the General Assembly. We look forward to working with the Senate to pass these same life-saving measures for Illinois children and families. Gun safety advocates can count on G-PAC’s full support to help see this measure across the finish line.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 12:59 pm
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===The Illinois General Assembly is working to pass a bill that the law-abiding gun owners across the state will fear, but criminals will ignore, as they already do to the dozens of laws already on the books===
This refrain is tiresome. Sure, criminals will ignore it. Then we catch and prosecute them.
Right now, nearly anyone can legally possess a high capacity, high speed, high energy weapon with minimal effort. This would change that so that someone caught with said weapon can be prosecuted for possession. You know, BEFORE a violent crime occurs with it.
Comment by thechampaignlife Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 1:17 pm
When 2-A became law the only gun was a single shot musket. That should be the only legal gun in the country.
Comment by Jerry Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 1:41 pm
Some problems have no apparent solution…and who wants to hear that?
Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 2:00 pm
I don’t know if the ISRA vowing litigation is any indicator of the likelihood this Illinois AWB may pass. That seemed inevitable anyways given the current makeup and recent rulings in Federal courts.
The Illinois Freedom Caucus trying to incite the nutters with revolutionary and “Oath Keeper” style rhetoric is a little ominous on 1/6. It’s probably just spit in the hurricane of the current environment of violent extremism and radicalization among my fellow gun nuts in recent decades though.
As far as I can tell I might, litigation pending, have to trade in my old AR-15 30 round mags for 10s. Oh no, the tyranny!
Comment by Glock21 Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 2:04 pm
- thechampaignlife - Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 1:17 pm:
===The Illinois General Assembly is working to pass a bill that the law-abiding gun owners across the state will fear, but criminals will ignore, as they already do to the dozens of laws already on the books===
===This refrain is tiresome. Sure, criminals will ignore it. Then we catch and prosecute them. ===
Criminals (convicted felons) already illegally possess handguns and when caught are not seriously prosecuted by Kim Foxx. Instead of several years in prison, it gets plea-bargained down to a misdemeanor, a small fine and the firearm is confiscated. The criminal then buys another illegal gun on the street, and resumes criminal activities without much fear of what would happen if they again get caught (in Cook County).
Comment by DuPage Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 2:14 pm
Gotta chuckle every time the “freedom caucus” issues a statement that absolutely no one cares about.
Comment by Near West Side Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 2:16 pm
===“freedom caucus” issues a statement that absolutely no one cares about. ===
lol
“Tyranny reigns supreme in the Illinois Legislature.”
So melodramatic.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 2:18 pm
Illinois: Famous for passing unconstitutional laws, and having them overturned in the courts. The bans and restrictions already run afoul of recent SCOTUS rulings, but that’s okay; IL taxpayers will foot the bill for trying to ignore the 2nd Amendment once again.
Comment by thisjustinagain Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:04 pm
===but that’s okay; IL taxpayers will foot the bill for trying to ignore the 2nd Amendment once again.===
Republicans voting against the ban are now on the record and if the voters feel that the GOP are dangerous to families and children because of the vote…
That’s why it’s important every single time these votes are taken.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:09 pm
Does anyone have information about why the M1 Garand is specifically exempted in the assault rifle bill?
“Assault shotgun or rifle” means any of the following or a copy, regardless of the producer or manufacturer:
…
(OO) Springfield Armory BM-59, SAR-48, G3, SAR-3, M-21 sniper rifle, and M1A, excluding the M1 Garand.
Comment by mastershakeman Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:44 pm
=IL taxpayers will foot the bill for trying to ignore the 2nd Amendment once again.=
Seems to me that IL taxpayers are more supportive of those that are trying to change things vs. those standing in the way. But maybe I read the results in November incorrectly.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:44 pm
=IL taxpayers will foot the bill for trying to ignore the 2nd Amendment once again.=
But rock solid on all of the right wing lawsuits against valid and lawful mask rules etc.
So litigious.
The right wing, always on the side of death and they are ok with that.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:48 pm
===Seems to me that IL taxpayers are more supportive of those that are trying to change things vs. those standing in the way. But maybe I read the results in November incorrectly===
That’s the point of the exercise.
If the GOP would rather not win elections, then this makes complete sense.
The anger about voting also must include that the voters get to see how one votes.
Being pro-life with no exceptions and pro-2A no exceptions, like, say, Bailey, isn’t a strong candidate that wins.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:48 pm
==Does anyone have information about why the M1 Garand is specifically exempted in the assault rifle bill? ==
I don’t know for sure, but if I had to guess, it’s because the Garand had an internal (en bloc) magazine that can’t be expanded beyond 8 shots.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 3:54 pm
===When 2-A became law the only gun was a single shot musket. That should be the only legal gun in the country.===
So, I suppose by your argument the internet is not protected by the second amendment. Neither are Mr. Bells telephones. Lucky for those of us that think the law of this land should reign supreme the Supreme Court covered this argument in the Bruen Decision.
Comment by Nagidam Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 4:22 pm
@thechampaignlife
== This would change that so that someone caught with said weapon can be prosecuted for possession. You know, BEFORE a violent crime occurs with it. ==
Interesting that you said BEFORE. How do you propose to stop the crime ahead of the crime. Stop and frisk? Door to door? Use the ISP firearm transfer records and seek out legal purchases and transfers for confiscation. This isn’t “Minority Report.”
@Jerry
== When 2-A became law the only gun was a single shot musket. That should be the only legal gun in the country. ==
This line of argument is old and obsolete and has been dismantled by the courts for decades.
Comment by CJA Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 4:26 pm
=== Criminals (convicted felons) already illegally possess handguns and when caught are not seriously prosecuted by Kim Foxx. Instead of several years in prison, it gets plea-bargained down to a misdemeanor, a small fine and the firearm is confiscated. The criminal then buys another illegal gun on the street, and resumes criminal activities without much fear of what would happen if they again get caught (in Cook County).===
Do you have an example of that happening? Source? A felon possessing a gun is a class three felony, a repeater is a class two felony.
A felon who can’t possess guns can make an appeal to the Illinois State Police to get a FOID card. That’s all jurisdictions, not just Cook.
Comment by Betty Draper’s cigarette Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 4:50 pm
=I suppose by your argument the internet is not protected by the second amendment.=
Well now that’s a novel argument. And telephones no less? But I’ll go out on a limb and say “no.”
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 5:36 pm
===How do you propose to stop the crime ahead of the crime?===
I am saying you can stop a violent crime by catching the criminal with an unlawful weapon during routine policing like traffic stops. Take away the gun and lock them up, and that future shooting never happens.
Comment by thechampaignlife Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 6:06 pm
Champaign,
So by “criminal” you seem to mean the person who is going to commit the violent gun crimes anyway. If they are already a felon, or they are in possession of a stolen gun, or they don’t have a FOID, or they have a criminal record that would prohibit the possession of a gun anyway, why do you need this new law. If you mean the average person in possession of a couple standard 15 round magazine and who has no criminal record, volunteers at his kids’ school, etc and is on their way out of state to a competition or other destination where they are legally allowed to possess them, you are saying that person should be treated the same?
Comment by CJA Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 6:23 pm
=So, I suppose by your argument the internet is not protected by the second amendment. Neither are Mr. Bells telephones.=
=This line of argument is old and obsolete and has been dismantled by the courts for decades.=
So Scalia, Thomas, and Alito, the vanguard of the conservative right are full of beans? Interesting since they claim or claimed the originalist or contextualist approach to issues before the court. And that approach to Second Amendment (of 27 Amendments) would mean sabres, cannons and muskets.
You aren’t (gasp) saying they were lying are you? My guess, since they did not apply that approach to the second amendment is that they are simply following the “convenient argument” doctrine and are hypocrites.
Also, if the bill is unconstitutional then explain the longstanding Federal Firearms Act of 1934 and 1938 which definitely put restrictions on guns.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 6:40 pm
JS-
You shouldn’t straw man this. Heller, McDonald, now Bruen all have built and supported the interpretation of the 2A to include the right for an individual to bear [modern] arms in common use for lawful reasons. Firearms that are dangerous *AND unusual* can be restricted.
SCOTUS found 200K stun guns met the test for “in common use” In Caetano vs. Mass, SCOTUS cited Heller and McDonald in overturning the state of Massachusetts saying that stun guns were bearable arms not in existence at the time of the writing of the Second Amendment. They also struck down the arguments that stun guns were unusual and they were not adaptable to military use and fall outside of 2A protections. I believe both Alito and Thomas were involved in writing the decision.
As to the NFA of 1934, automatic weapons (fully automatic, don’t confuse with semi-automatic), sawed-off shotguns, short-barreled rifles can be restricted. (Gasp, I know, right?) That is not what we are talking about here.
Comment by CJA Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 7:17 pm
While enjoying the back and forth, I do find it quite cold and pointedly legal.
That’s the point.
It may not have been a social experiment, but all the wordy-wordy “see we’re within our rights” words… there *is* no answer to what Morgan said on the floor… because the answer is…
“We don’t care”
“See you in court”
“That’s what they said 246 years ago”
My point?
The wonks are gonna win the discussion to the legal processes until a court decides they don’t… maybe if ever.
The hacks will continually lose the polling and likely campaigns they follow. All but Durkin have said a ban like this is worth his vote. Even the lame ducks.
In actuality, this sadly will devolve, for victims, to the politics. The polling says voters aren’t happy with assault weapons as they are seen in availability.
If you’re a one issue voter, this will be the ball game. For a party reeling with irrelevance all throughout Illinois state politics, one issue wins that are losing voters isn’t gaining a single bit of ground back.
That’s why wonks don’t run campaign strategy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 7:28 pm
===If they are already a felon, or they are in possession of a stolen gun, or they don’t have a FOID, or they have a criminal record that would prohibit the possession of a gun anyway, why do you need this new law===
I never said they were any of those. Someone with no record with a legally purchased gun and FOID can legally possess a high capacity, high speed, high energy weapon. Like the Highland Park shooter. If we make that gun illegal, anyone caught with it could be prosecuted, and hopefully that would occur before a mass shooting event as part of routine policing.
Comment by thechampaignlife Friday, Jan 6, 23 @ 8:39 pm