Springfield, IL – This week, legislation sponsored by State Senator Maggie Crotty (D – Oak Forest) designed to curb gun violence was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn.

House Bill 4124, specifically aimed at gang violence, toughens penalties for unlawful possession of firearms or when a crime is committed by a gang member with an illegal weapon. Offenders will now be charged with a Class 2 felony (3-10 years/$25,000) and will face mandatory jail time if the crime involves a loaded firearm.

"These tougher penalties will discourage gang members from committing crimes in Illinois and further protect us from these types of violence," Senator Crotty said. "A lot of unregistered guns fall into the hands of gang members. We want to get these unregistered firearms off the streets and penalize the gang members who possess them."

According to a report by the University of Chicago, a total of 510 people were murdered in Chicago during 2008. 80 percent of those victims were killed by gunfire. The same study also found that more than 10,000 unlawful firearms are taken from the streets of Chicago each year.

"The new law will not only ensure the safety of the people in my district, but it will enhance the well-being of everybody throughout Illinois," Senate Crotty said. "I fully support this legislation because it gives law enforcement the tools they need to fight gang activity in the streets."