Written by Schoenberg staff Friday, 10 February 2012 09:35
Mayor’s statewide registry makes sense, Senate leader
says
Assistant Majority Leader Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) today pledged his full support behind Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposal to create a statewide handgun registry that will help law enforcement in all Illinois communities curb gun violence. Mayor Emanuel announced yesterday that he intends to push to expand Chicago’s method of keeping tabs on guns – not just gun owners – to the rest of the state.
“I’m committed to leading the charge for this legislation in the Senate, as a supporter and a sponsor,” Sen. Schoenberg said. “I applaud Mayor Emanuel’s initiative and his commitment to tackling this major problem in our communities. Guns aren’t just a local problem; gun crime is a regional and statewide problem, and we can’t address the epidemic of gun violence if we have no way to adequately keep track of guns.”
Throughout his career, Sen. Schoenberg has been a tireless advocate for tougher, saner gun laws that restrict the widespread availability of weapons.
“Communities all over the state suffer when lost, stolen, or illegally trafficked firearms are used in violent crimes,” Sen. Schoenberg said. “Because some municipalities and counties have less stringent regulations than others, we clearly must have a statewide registry to combat criminals who use lax laws to acquire firearms for their illegal activities.”
Sen. Schoenberg added that handgun registries are essential in allowing law enforcement to identify and disrupt “straw purchases,” in which individuals with criminal backgrounds are able to gain possession of handguns through third parties.



SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D – Rushville), honored the late Trooper Floyd J. Farrar last week as he sponsored a resolution that will rename Highway 103 in Schuyler County the Trooper Floyd J. Farrar Memorial Highway.
Chicago, Illinois – State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) is proud to support Mayor Emanuel’s efforts to create a state and federal partnership that will help reduce violence in local communities.
Springfield – Earlier today, the Illinois State Senate passed a resolution urging Congress to provide more support for local and regional food systems in its forthcoming farm bill.
State Senator Annazette Collins submitted legislation this week that will reduce the severity of punishment for juvenile offenders in Illinois.
Springfield, IL– State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) was furious to learn that the mayor of Chicago has launched another campaign to take away the gun rights of law-abiding citizens. Mayor Rahm Emmanuel proposed forcing gun owners everywhere in the state of Illinois to pay a $65 registration fee to own a handgun.
State Senator Ed Maloney welcomed NAIA National Champions, Saint Xavier University Football Cougars of Chicago, to the Senate today and recognized the coaches and players for their successful 2011 season.
In Spring 2009, scandal rocked the Chicago-area African American community when authorities learned that Burr Oak Cemetery had been reusing human graves and callously discarding human remains. In response, the Illinois General Assembly passed sweeping cemetery regulation reforms. However, soon after the reforms became law, it became clear that they were so strict that small, private cemeteries would be forced to close their doors. State Senator Emil Jones, III, a proponent of the original bill, quickly began working with cemetery owners to find a reasonable solution. His compromise became law Monday.