Posted: 3/2/2005 6:37:27 AM EDT
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But the battle is just beginning........ Senate panel blocks Daley gun package By Christi Parsons and Erika Slife Tribune staff reporters Published March 2, 2005 SPRINGFIELD -- Key portions of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's gun-control package failed Tuesday in an Illinois Senate committee, with Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration formally registering opposition to one measure. In a blow to Daley's cause, the Democratic-controlled Judiciary Committee voted down a bill to limit the number of handguns people can buy to one per month. Although Blagojevich has pledged to work on behalf of Daley's proposals, administration lobbyists were not actively supporting the bill. But the Illinois State Police urged the committee to reject another Daley bill that would require gun dealers to get a state license, and the panel voted down the measure. Before becoming governor, Blagojevich represented a Northwest Side Chicago district in Congress and was an outspoken advocate of increased gun control. That position caused him trouble with Downstate voters during his campaign for governor, and he has since downplayed it. Although he has promised to back Daley's package, on Tuesday some gun control advocates were questioning Blagojevich's sincerity. "The governor has publicly stated that he supports measures to reduce gun violence," said Thom Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. "It's not enough to just talk about whether you support a bill or not. It's incumbent upon you to actually put some resources out there to ensure that these bills at least get out onto the Senate floor." Aides to the governor said the state police opposed the licensing measure out of concern that it would be costly to implement. Even so, Blagojevich aides insisted the governor remains personally committed to the proposal. "We support that measure and, if it passed, we would find the funds to pay for it," Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said. The Daley proposals have the support of Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), and he could still employ parliamentary maneuvers to bypass the judiciary panel and move the measures to the floor through a more sympathetic committee. But the Judiciary Committee is seen as a bellwether of sentiment for the full Senate, indicating the gun-control package could still face a rocky future. Daley has tried and failed for several years to push stronger gun controls through the legislature, but the change from Republican to Democratic control of the Senate two years ago has not proved the boon he had hoped. Making things more difficult for the mayor this year is a strategy adopted by the National Rifle Association to not just fight his proposals but push its own agenda of more than 30 bills designed to relax gun controls already on the books. Those proposals have strong support among many Downstate legislators. House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has agreed to let lawmakers on both sides of the issue in his chamber choose friendly committees for their bills, meaning a gun control showdown should take place in the coming weeks. Backers of the handgun purchase limit proposal in the Senate said it would cut back on so-called "straw purchases" in which legal buyers purchase guns on behalf of those who are not eligible to do so themselves. Members also voted down the legislation to require state licenses for gun dealers. Supporters say the proposal could prove a backstop to federal licensing and supervisions of dealers. "The feds don't have the resources to investigate them on a regular basis," Mannard said. "The idea is to bring some state resources to bear on this." The state police are worried about coming up with enough money to pay staff to perform new duties. But Ottenhoff said that if the measure passes, the governor would sign it into law and would find the cash. The committee also voted down a measure pushed by Cook County State's Atty. Dick Devine, which would let state police revoke the gun permit of anyone who fails to report the loss or theft of a firearm within three days. "If you do that, law enforcement will know a gun has been stolen or lost," Mannard said. "There's a gun out there that might be in the wrong hands." Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said he will try to fine tune both the licensing bill and the gun-permit bill and bring them back for another vote. But gun-rights activists noted that the same committee turned down similar Daley proposals two years ago. Lawmakers don't like "Chicago-style gun control," said NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde. One committee member, Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), said he didn't support the mayor's plan, partly because it seemed like "overkill." Still, Dillard did not close the door to voting for a modified version later. "It's early in the process," said Dillard, the new GOP chairman in DuPage County. "We can continue to explore many of these ideas." |
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Today, they snuck one past the goalie. HB0990 (Firearms Dealers License) made it out of committee. This is the bill that would set up gun registration that is retroactive 2 years. It also sets up the ISP to decide who can sell guns and who can't. This is the same bill that stalled in the Senate yesterday. HB1060 (Assault Weapons), HB1098 (.50 cals and ammo), and HB1349 (Trigger locks and smart gun technology) were supposed to be heard in the same hearing. I don't think they were heard, but I haven't been able to verify that . Almost all of the Senate Bills are scheduled to be heard on March 8, 2:30 PM in Rm 212 of the Capitol. All of the Senate's foul bills as well as the concealed carry bills will be there. Of course, there's no guarantee that they'll hear any of them. |
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Governor dropped ball on gun control, Daley ally says By Christi Parsons and Rudolph Bush, Tribune staff reporters. Christi Parsons reported from Springfield, and Rudolph Bush reported from Washington Published March 3, 2005 Mayor Richard Daley said Wednesday he is bothered that lobbyists for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration have opposed parts of his latest gun-control package in Springfield, but one of Daley's key legislative allies was much blunter in condemning the governor. State Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago), chairman of the Senate Executive Committee, said he was furious that Blagojevich passed up the chance to push for key gun-control legislation this week. "We didn't hear from Gov. Blagojevich's office at all. It was really a shame," said Silverstein, who serves on the Judiciary Committee that did not advance two of Daley's bills Tuesday. "Licensing gun dealers is probably the most important bill we have this session. And to go down like that, without any input, without any lobbying, is unacceptable." Silverstein also questioned Blagojevich's commitment to gun control, an issue the governor championed as a congressman, touted repeatedly on the campaign trail and still claims to hold dear. "If he's so pro-gun control, where is he?" Silverstein asked. Although Blagojevich has pledged to back several anti-gun measures sponsored by the mayor, his lobbyists have largely been missing in action during the legislative debate this spring. In a few instances, however, they have formally registered opposition to Daley gun-control bills. Although Blagojevich boasted a solid record of supporting gun control while representing the Chicago area in the state legislature and in Congress, as governor he has tried to court conservative Democrats in central and southern Illinois, where hunters and sportsmen value their right to bear arms. Earlier this week, a lobbyist for the Illinois State Police--which answers to Blagojevich--filled out "witness slips" informing members of the Senate Judiciary Committee that the department opposed two of Daley's measures. One of the bills would require gun dealers to get licenses from the state, and the other would prohibit people from buying more than one handgun every 30 days. On Wednesday, when a similar licensing bill came up in a House committee, the state police declined the chance to voice support for it, recording the agency's official position this time as "neutral." A spokesman for the state police said agency officials originally had concerns about the costs of implementing the bills. The state police would have to issue the licenses and keep track of how many guns people purchased each month. Still, some lawmakers, who thought Blagojevich supported the mayor's package, were confused. Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) served as the top lobbyist to former Gov. Jim Thompson and the chief of staff to former Gov. Jim Edgar. Dillard said it was standard procedure for state agencies to follow the lead of the governor's office when taking positions on legislation. "We really coordinated the testimony of our departments in state government," Dillard said. "I don't know what the Blagojevich administration does, but it seems on certain issues the governor's office itself is not necessarily in the best communication with its agencies." To be sure, gun-control supporters say the state police have played a crucial role in fighting some initiatives of the National Rifle Association, which is sponsoring dozens of bills this spring to expand the rights of gun owners. In particular, lobbyists and investigators in the law enforcement agency have helped lead the fight against a measure that would require them to destroy records indicating how often Illinois residents apply to buy new weapons. Aides to the governor say he supports the mayor's bills and that, if the bills get to his desk, he will find a way to pay for them. Although Daley avoided direct criticism of Blagojevich, he questioned why an agency under the governor could oppose something the governor says he supports. "That's up to him to take a position," Daley said on a trip to Washington. "My role on that issue is I'll never give it up regardless of what anyone else does. We should be able to pass some common sense gun laws." State police officials should realize that the gun-control bills are meant to protect their officers and innocent citizens who become victims of violent gun crime, Daley said. "People worry about lighters going on a plane but not a .357 Magnum in a suburban area," he said. |
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Sounds like Blago is playing it low profile in order to (try) to retain what little support he has left from downstate voters. I read the other day the Emile Jones and Mike Madigan are letting theses bills got to sympathetic committees so that they are fought on the Statehuse Floor instead of committee. CKMorley |
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This is the best thing we could hope for- Daley and Blago outright butting heads on gun control. Blago is a lame duck but thankfully his "flip flop" on gun control is actaully good for us. Who would have thought?  Blago must try to define his policy by using a magic 8-ball or reading tea leaves, becuase he sure doesn't use logic or constituency building to define it!  |