Quincy Reporter

The deadline for Illinois residents to register their now-banned firearms has passed, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the state's assault weapon ban. The "Protect Illinois Communities Act," signed by the Governor on January 10, 2023, immediately banned the sale and purchase of certain firearms. However, individuals who owned assault weapons and attachments purchased prior to the bill's signing had until January 1, 2024, to register those items with the Illinois State Police.

According to the Illinois State Police, 29,357 people registered their assault weapons before the deadline. Additionally, information about 68,992 firearms and 42,830 attachments was submitted to the Illinois State Police. This represents approximately one percent of all gun owners in the state. However, the implementation of the ban has been marked by controversy and confusion, with several court cases challenging its constitutionality still ongoing, including two cases docketed with the United States Supreme Court.

In other news, the ongoing migrant crisis continues to worsen, putting a strain on Illinois taxpayers. Since August 2022, more than 28,000 noncitizens have been sent to Chicago from the U.S. border. The public outcry over the crisis is reaching a fever pitch as the problem spills over from Chicago to its surrounding communities. The Chicago City Council recently passed new rules limiting the number of buses that can arrive at the city's designated "landing zone" between certain hours. However, this has led to some buses dropping off their noncitizen passengers in surrounding suburbs without notice to local officials, causing concerns about a lack of available resources to handle the influx of noncitizens. State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) expresses concern about the impact of the crisis on the state's financial future, as Illinois has already seen a significant increase in spending on programs dedicated to noncitizens.

In the realm of public corruption, former longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke has been convicted on public corruption charges. Burke faced 14 counts, including racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion. His sentencing is scheduled for June 19, and he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The case against Burke highlighted his use of his public position for personal gain, including attempting to extort money from the Field Museum and the owners of a Burger King. Another prominent figure, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, also faces corruption charges and recently had his trial postponed to October 8, 2024. These cases further highlight the need for stronger ethics laws in Illinois, as emphasized by Sen. Tracy, who has long advocated for such reforms.

Lastly, the deadline to apply for two available Community Development Block Grants is approaching. The grants, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, aim to support public infrastructure and housing rehabilitation projects that benefit low-to-moderate income populations. The Public Infrastructure Grant focuses on improving water and sanitary systems, while the Housing Rehabilitation Grant addresses the housing needs of eligible low-to-moderate income households. The applications for both grants are due on January 18, 2024.

As Illinois faces challenges in firearm regulation, the migrant crisis, and public corruption, it remains to be seen how the state will address these pressing issues and work towards a more transparent and secure future.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://senatorjiltracy.com/2024/01/05/senate-week-in-review-jan-1-5-2024/