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* Senate President John Cullerton…
Three years ago, Gov. Bruce Rauner slashed state funding for mental health services, autism programs, epilepsy assistance and children’s health care in a move that became known as the Good Friday Massacre.
It wasn’t an isolated incident.
In 2016, 2017 and now with the proposed 2019 state budget, Gov. Rauner continued to eliminate state support for mental health programs. His cuts denied mental health services to nearly 47,000 people in need and cost almost 1,000 mental health workers their jobs.
So, it was with a sense of, let’s call it irony, that I recently received a letter from Gov. Rauner expressing concern for access to mental health services in Illinois. He claims to want to explore and better understand the complex intersection of mental health and gun violence.
The governor’s letter is here. It’s quite a hoot, coming from a guy who has repeatedly attacked the Democratic Party’s leadership.
* Back to Cullerton…
Gov. Rauner wants me to appoint people to a “group” that will be sensitive to the needs of the mental health community as part of an effort to study what he could do to address these concerns.
We already have such a group. It’s called the Illinois General Assembly. And last year it grew frustrated that the governor continues slashing mental health programs. We enacted a 2018 budget to support mental health over the governor’s objections and veto.
As lawmakers, we can only authorize spending, we can’t make the governor actually spend the money to support mental health. To date, the governor refuses to fund $26 million worth of mental health programs despite having the full authority to do so.
I don’t think we need more working groups, government commissions or task forces. What we need is leadership and action.
Not to mention that the governor has at his disposal a Department of Mental Health, a Department of Public Health, his own State Police, an Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, etc.
* Cullerton…
Before assembling another batch of bureaucrats to ponder possibilities, the governor should take action on what’s right in front of him.
First, he should release the mental health grants approved by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Next, he should sign House Bill 1468 that’s been on his desk for weeks. It creates a 72-hour cooling off period after purchasing an assault weapon. That’s already the law for buying handguns. It received overwhelming support from all corners of the state. Then, he should join the efforts under way to enact a comprehensive set of laws addressing mental health and gun violence. These proposals have already been studied and assembled. With the governor’s help, we could quickly make them the law of the land.
For example, if a family member recognizes that another family member could be prone to violence and has access to guns, we ought to have a process through which they can go to a judge to have those guns temporarily removed. House Bill 772 does that.
There’s also overwhelming support for banning so-called bump stocks that serve no purpose other than to increase how fast a shooter can pump bullets into a target. And we should empower local communities to enact their own gun laws that meet their residents’ concerns. Those provisions are in House Bill 1467.
We should improve mental health screenings for those applying for gun-owner licenses. That is in House Bill 1664. And teenagers shouldn’t be buying assault weapons. House Bill 1465 closes that loophole.
All of these proposals are advancing in the General Assembly. We could get the job done a lot faster with Gov. Rauner’s help.
Similarly, the governor should reconsider his opposition to Senate Bill 1657, a state licensing system for weapons dealers. More than a year’s worth of work went into creating that bipartisan, comprehensive and practical system. With the governor’s support, we could quickly cut through the bickering, get it approved and up and running.
* Maybe the governor should also make sure the state cops are enforcing the law…
In general, a FOID card can be denied to or revoked from anyone who has been charged with a felony, convicted of domestic violence, is addicted to narcotics, has been a patient in a mental health facility within the past five years, is intellectually or developmentally disabled or is the subject of a court restraining order. FOID cards may also be revoked if the owner is deemed a clear and present danger to him or herself or others. […]
In Illinois, more than 2.1 million people have FOID cards, a number that has grown by almost 1 million since 2010, according to state police. Last year, about 11,000 people had their cards revoked, but only about 4,000 of them submitted the required reports stating what they did with their guns, state police said.
* Back to Cullerton…
The message is clear: People are demanding action. Gov. Rauner has the opportunity to take charge and make a difference.
I would encourage him to seize this opportunity.
And then, maybe, we can talk about scheduling more meetings on what we should next work on together.
The Senate President’s letter to the governor is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:30 pm
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Wow. Just — Wow.
Comment by Depressed in DuPage Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:33 pm
This is how a lame duck is spoken to.
Get used to it, Bruce.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:37 pm
“bunch of bureaucrats pondering possibilities”…thats some good verbage!
Comment by H L Mencken Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:43 pm
Rauner isn’t respected or now treated with phony respect, respect the office deserves, but Rauner has lost.
Good on Cullerton.
I’m looking forward to Durkin and Brady walking a fine line as Rauner makes them sing for their supper, and calling out Rauner and Rauner’s ridiculousness.
Then again, phonies like Mr. Breen… they are already selling out their righteousness… so what President Cullerton did here is extraordinary.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:45 pm
Maybe the Governor can put a task force together of legislators to meet with other legislators then submit a report to the governor’s office on how to talk to and work with legislators?
Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:46 pm
Bravo Senator Cullerton, bravo!
=== I don’t think we need more working groups, government commissions or task forces. ===
Now Senator, Rauner just did a meaningless abolition of a bunch of groups. He needs to create more so he can put out another press release abolishing the new ones. Rauner has to do something to show accomplishments. Otherwise the voters will easily figure out that he is a failure.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:48 pm
Clearly the President of the Illinois Senate is in cahoots with Madigan. The subject of the governor’s letter was a request to set up a commission to protect his phony baloney job, and Madigan’s crony, Cullerton, insults him? Harrumph, Harrumph…I didn’t get a harrumph outta that guy./s
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 2:57 pm
Lots of specifics from Senate President Cullerton. Agree or disagree with those specifics, Illinois would benefit tremendously if more of our political leaders and candidates would do similar.
Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:00 pm
–I don’t think we need more working groups, government commissions or task forces. What we need is leadership and action.–
That would require a chief executive who actually wants to do the job, not just play at it as a retirement hobby.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:07 pm
Capt Fax: You forgot to add Roger Heaton GovJunk COS and designer of the GovJunk early release (oppo prison reform) plan. He certainly is well equipped to lay down some jive about beefed up mental health services.
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:09 pm
I’m glad Cullerton responded with specific citations. The public doesn’t do nuances, so specifics are needed to get them to remember things. Otherwise, low info voters will take Rauner blaming the legislature for inaction as gospel.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:20 pm
Boom Mic drop All the props to Cullerton. what a punchy amazing piece on this issue.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:27 pm
The Guv is startin’ some learnin’ that it is much harder to run when you have an actual record.
I know the Guv doesn’t believe in accountability, but come Novemeber a majority of the voters will show him that they do.
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:32 pm
As a result of the February school shooting in Florida, people that are trying to actually help solve a problem are pointing to the dismantled mental health systems in IL. Now BVR might start to be seeing the errors of his ways in gutting mental health programs. I’m sure he doesn’t want a school shooting crisis on his watch and everyone pointing at him for eliminating the very intervention systems that might have prevented it.
Comment by Truckin' On Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:47 pm
This is standard Republican tactic. Slash funding for mental health, then wonder aloud about what can be done. Ask for a study that will waste time and make it appear you are doing something when in reality it just provides cover for your atrocious cuts. Do same thing for gun control legislation. Repeat as needed.
Comment by Terry Salad Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:52 pm
“For example, if a family member (or cop who doesn’t like you) recognizes that another family member could be prone to violence (so now your aunt is a psychiatrist?) and has access to guns, we ought to have a process through which they can go to a judge to have those guns temporarily removed. House Bill 772 does that.”
“We” in America have a process under law that can halt dangerous people before they do others harm. It’s called arrest. This garbage is phoney legal pop psychology, taking away fundamental 2nd Amendment rights based on what, mind reading? Who’s going to testify whether or not you’re fit to own a gun, the IL State Police “pre-crime” section?
“And we should empower local communities to enact their own gun laws that meet their residents’ concerns. Those provisions are in House Bill 1467.”
As a former ISRA & NRA member, I’d like to thank ISRA executive director-for-life Richard Pearson and (former) NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde for selling out to anti-gun police unions in Rep. Brandon Phelps concealed carry bill in 2013. “Our” (NRA backed) carry bill had to have criminal penalties and Duty to Inform (according to Vandermyde) or it just wouldn’t get the support of police unions. Maybe the IL Chiefs of Police will help the gun hicks fight repeal of local pre-emption with Cullerton here? No, that’s right, they opposed any form of citizen carry for the last forty years. Oops!
I’m glad Rauner is opposing the push for gun control in IL, NRA members can’t figure out who their real enemies are.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 3:56 pm
==We” in America have a process under law that can halt dangerous people before they do others harm. It’s called arrest. ==
Really? We can arrest people before they commit the crime?
== taking away fundamental 2nd Amendment rights==
Yes, because we can’t possibly ever prevent someone from having a gun. When you are opposed to keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill you show how radical you really are.
==NRA members can’t figure out who their real enemies are.==
Did you get a day pass to use the internet at your anti-government compound?
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:07 pm
This letter sums up the entire Rauner term thus far. Inability to govern. It’s a superb takedown.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:10 pm
And that’s what leadership looks like. Great job, Senator Cullerton (exclamaiton)
Comment by Groundhog Day Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:27 pm
If cullerton agreed to play along it would likely be one of Rauner’s top 5 accomplishments in human services. So sad but so true.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:50 pm
Cullerton usually trys to reach a compromise. This is really strong language from him.
He makes lots of valid points. The only one I really object to is allowing local gun control regulation in excess of state laws.
He might want to re-think that one. Chicago’s draconian laws led to the SCOTUS decision that forced concealed carry in Illinois and reinforced there is an individual right to self defense that can not be unduly restricted practically out of existence. I’m sure the national Democrat Party is not happy with the precedent the McDonald case set …
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 4:54 pm
Sen. Cullerton: Once again, the “adult in the room.”
Comment by 37B Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 5:01 pm
RNUG - There was nothing in McDonald about concealed carry. The sole issue in the case was whether the 2d Amendment was incorporated in the due process clause of the 14th Amendment thus making it applicable to the states. So the National DEMOCRATIC party doesn’t give a crap about that case except that it empowers gun nuts to be gun nuts.
Comment by TominChicago Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 5:02 pm
Hey Anonymous 3:56.
We don’t arrest people *before* they’ve committed a crime.
Also, Anonymous, you’re a coward if you can’t even come up with a screen name.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 5:20 pm
== There was nothing in McDonald about concealed carry. ==
Not directly. But it set the stage for the rest of it.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 5:39 pm
RNUG - I am sure that’s what they told you at the NRA klaven but they were wrong. The concealed carry case (Moore v. Madigan) concerned a state prohibition on concealed carry. It had nothing to do with Chicago’s handgun ordinance.
Comment by TominChicago Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 5:44 pm
We don’t arrest people before they commit a crime. But we can have an involuntary psych hold and evaluation. The procedures seem to be strict on who can apply for the hold and there must be an evaluation with a determination that the person is a threat to themselves or others. If not a threat, they must be released.
Are they seeking a lower threshold for taking guns than for a psychiatric hold?
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 6:08 pm
== taking away fundamental 2nd Amendment rights==
Yes, because we can’t possibly ever prevent someone from having a gun. When you are opposed to keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill you show how radical you really are.
===============================================
Replace “mentally ill” with “black” or any other group and how that statement reads…
Comment by Sam Hall Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 6:14 pm
–Really? We can arrest people before they commit the crime?–
This guy says you can grab guns without any due process at all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxgybgEKHHI
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 6:45 pm
== There was nothing in McDonald about concealed carry. ==
–Not directly.–
Not at all. It tossed the blanket ban on any form of carry in public. No court has found that concealed carry is a “right.”
–But it set the stage for the rest of it.==
The Illinois c-c law went far beyond any requirements of the Supremes. A simple “may issue” rather than “will issue” would have been more than ample.
The law that finally passed was really more of a Southern Illinois Democrat Preservation Act (lot of good that did).
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 6:53 pm
Everyone keeps saying “what Cullerton needs to do”. Guess what? From the looks of that letter he did it. Now the Governor can either lead, follow or get out of the way.
Dorothy you’ve always had the power to go home.
Let’s see if the Gov can click his heels three times and spin out of this.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 7:30 pm
Rauner’s letter is simply an election-year political stroke to demonstrate that “he cares” about gun violence and mental health.
As his track record has shown time and again, he’s not actually interested in any heavy lifting on any subject.
You don’t retire to work hard at your hobby.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 7:35 pm
Keep in mind, Rauner’s main residence is in a community that took advantage of the brief window to enact stricter regulations on guns.
It’s not like he’s living on a compound in rural Illinois with a stash of 10 AKs and a case of hand grenades.
He lives in a community that wanted more gun control laws.
Let’s see if he thinks the rest of Illinois should enjoy the same privilege.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 7:46 pm
Two entirely different issues being tied together by a leader is somewaht disappointing. Lots of folks have FOID cards and no guns. But they want to be able to have one to shoot if they choose. In reality there are very few “gun crimes” perpetrated by truley menatlly ill people, but thats not popular in the media. However, there are lots of gun crimes perpetrated by criminals with little to no regard for the law or life. These two issues are not related even as much as some would try to tie them together. Facts get in the way of hysteria when you actually look at them.
Comment by the Cardinal Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 8:28 pm
–In reality there are very few “gun crimes” perpetrated by truley menatlly ill people, but thats not popular in the media–
The regular massacres perpetrated by heavily armed lunatics at schools, churches, businesses, concert, etc., aren’t popular in some circles, either.
Some people don’t have much of a problem with them, though. I’ve seen that in the media.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 8:38 pm
Does anyone know what other states(if any)require FOID cards?
Comment by Behind the Scenes Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 8:57 pm
Sam @ 6:14 pm: “Replace “mentally ill” with “black” or any other group and how that statement reads…”
Richard Pearson from ISRA is listed in Otis McDonald’s book, An Act of Bravery, as one of the people who recruited Otis for the lawsuit against the Chicago handgun ban and convinced him to sign on. It was a cunning move by Pearson and NRA to get a black man from Chicago and son of a sharecropper to be the front man for their lawsuit. They used Otis and then they threw him away in Phelps 2013 concealed carry bill.
I’ve known Richard Pearson from ISRA for at least fifteen years, and I promise you that he doesn’t care in the least about how black people in Chicago and Cook County get treated by the police while legally armed. That’s why ISRA & NRA *started out* by placing a public transit ban and Duty to Inform in Phelps’ carry bill. The NRA types in Chatsworth and points south drive everywhere, they don’t care what happens to black people who take the bus, or if Philando Castile in Minnesota gets shot by a cop during a traffic stop.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 9:00 pm
If you stepped behind the Cullerton Curtain you would see the perpetrator of the nanny state.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 10:01 pm
===If you stepped behind the Cullerton Curtain you would see the perpetrator of the nanny state.===
Really? Tell us all the perpetrator
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 10:02 pm
===I live a few blocks from him.===
Me too. Why do I have a feeling that your dumb nonsequiter just lowered the neighborhood IQ (to say nothing of the property values)?
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 10:36 pm
I meant non sequitur.
See? It’s already happening.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 10:37 pm
Obviously anonymous didn’t get any smarter overnight
Comment by Redraider Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 9:00 am