Quincy Reporter

A legislative panel in Illinois recently heard testimony from the Illinois State Police regarding proposed rules for the enforcement of the state's "assault weapon" ban. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) met on December 12th to discuss the proposed permanent rules. While the State Police's temporary emergency rules are currently in effect, action on the proposed permanent rules will be taken at the January meeting of JCAR.

The emergency rules include requirements for registering existing weapons that are included in the assault weapon ban. Owners of banned firearms purchased before January 10, 2023, must file an affidavit with the Illinois State Police. However, critics of the bill, such as State Senator Jil Tracy, have expressed concerns about the confusion surrounding which firearms and accessories are banned or require the affidavit.

Tracy, who opposed the new law, believes it infringes on the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners and is likely unconstitutional. She expressed hope that the assault weapon ban will be ruled unconstitutional in the court system. The ban and the deadline to register remain in place, with several court cases pending over the constitutionality of the law.

In other news, the Illinois Attorney General's office and several organizations have reached a proposed agreement on protecting constitutional rights concerning crisis pregnancy centers. The agreement comes after the passage of Senate Bill 1909 earlier this year, which aimed to root out "bad actors" in the crisis pregnancy industry. Critics, including Senator Tracy, argued that the Attorney General already had the power to address deceptive practices and viewed the bill as a publicity stunt.

The proposed agreement follows a federal judge's action in August, which temporarily blocked the law from being enforced. The judge referred to the law as "both stupid and very likely unconstitutional." The agreement will halt the enforcement of the law, providing a victory for pro-life advocates and crisis pregnancy centers.

In addition, Illinois is offering a $500 non-refundable income tax credit to eligible volunteer emergency workers. This credit aims to assist volunteer firefighters and EMTs in covering the costs of training and equipment. To qualify for the credit, individuals must meet specific criteria, including serving as a volunteer emergency worker for at least nine months during the taxable year and not receiving compensation exceeding $5,000 for their services.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has also made significant efforts to combat invasive carp in the Illinois River. Teaming up with professional fishermen, the department harvested over 700,000 pounds of silver carp within a 10-day period, double the amount removed in the previous year. This program aims to control the population of invasive carp and protect the Great Lakes from these species.

Overall, Illinois lawmakers continue to address various issues, including the enforcement of the assault weapon ban, the protection of constitutional rights for crisis pregnancy centers, and the support of volunteer emergency workers. These developments showcase the ongoing efforts to address critical issues affecting the state and its citizens.

To find out more, go to this link: https://senatorjiltracy.com/2023/12/15/senate-week-in-review-dec-11-15-2023/