|
Dillard bill takes aim at unlawful use of a firearm |
|
 April 28, 2010
Targeting the rampant gun violence that is plaguing the City of Chicago is the goal of legislation sponsored by Sen. Dillard that will increase penalties for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
“While I am a strong proponent of the Second Amendment, this law would only impact individuals who do not possess a valid Firearm Operators Identification Card (FOID) and who are caught carrying a loaded, uncased weapon on the street,” explained Dillard. “It’s irresponsible, it’s unsafe and it is a recipe for illegal gun use.”
Dillard said that Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis recently came to Springfield and testified in favor of the bill, saying that the measure will have a positive impact on controlling gun crime in the City of Chicago, particularly with respect to the increase in gun violence that has many Chicago residents concerned—and afraid.
House Bill 5832 requires mandatory imprisonment for one to three years for an individual who is 18 years or older, who does not have a valid FOID card, and who possessed a loaded and uncased firearm. The penalties would also apply to those who are caught in possession of an unloaded, uncased firearm with ammunition accessible if they do not have a valid FOID card.
Currently, individuals convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon could see one to three years in prison and a $25,000. However, until House Bill 5832 is signed into law, imprisonment is not mandatory for individuals convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
“This keeps gangbangers and others from being put right back out on the street to commit another crime with an illegal firearm,” said Dillard.
|
|
|
Dillard bill increases public oversight of Illinois’ inmate early release program |
|
April 27, 2010
SPRINGFIELD – The Department of Corrections (DOC) would be required to post online the pictures and identification information of former inmates who receive early release if legislation introduced by Sen. Dillard is signed into law.
“This is a commonsense practice that might have deterred some of the problems and abuses we saw occur with the Quinn administration’s flawed early release program,” Dillard said. “As the sponsor of Illinois’ Truth in Sentencing law, I was infuriated by the Quinn administration’s early release of prisoners who were violent criminals or involved in a murder.
“Some early release inmates served only days of their sentence in an Illinois penitentiary. That is a mockery of our system of law enforcement, and a mockery of their victims and their victims’ families.”
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Bill targets illegal child tattooing, body piercing |
|
April 27, 2010
SPRINGFIELD – Falsely representing oneself to be the parent or guardian of a minor who is looking to get “inked” could land you in a heap of trouble if legislation sponsored by State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) is signed into law.
The Senate advanced House Bill 4895, which creates a new criminal offense making it illegal to pretend to be the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 for the purposes of a tattoo, as well as facial and body piercing.
“Several years ago I sponsored legislation that required parental permission for a child to be pierced. At that time I was surprised to learn that wasn’t already a law,” said Dillard. “As the father of two young daughters, I know how upset I would be if someone misrepresented their identity in order to help my child get a tattoo or piercing.
“This bill seeks to deter that type of deception, and to ensure that the real guardians aren’t kept in the dark.”
The penalty for the new offense could result in up to 30 days in county jail, probation or a fine up to $1500.
Currently, anyone under 18 is prohibited from even being in a tattoo parlor or body piercing business, unless accompanied by his or her parent or guardian. Piercing of an individual under 18 requires the written permission of a parent or guardian. |
|
General Assembly approves banning sexual predators from public parks |
|
April 27, 2010
SPRINGFIELD – Sexual offenders would be prohibited from visiting or loitering near Illinois’ public parks, including state parks, under the provisions of legislation sponsored by State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and recently approved by state lawmakers.
“Sexual offenders don’t need to be hanging around public parks where there are lots of kids and lots of people walking or running alone. Unfortunately, we’ve seen some terrible tragedies in public parks,” said Dillard. “We need to keep these individuals out of areas where there is often limited oversight by law enforcement officers, as well as surroundings that offer seclusion.”
|
|
Read more...
|
|
General Assembly approves banning sexual predators from public parks |
|
March 22, 2010
SPRINGFIELD – Sexual offenders would be prohibited from visiting or loitering near Illinois’ public parks, including state parks, under the provisions of legislation that sponsored by State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and recently approved by state lawmakers.
“Sexual offenders don’t need to be hanging around public parks where there are lots of kids and lots of people walking or running alone. Unfortunately, we’ve seen some terrible tragedies in public parks,” said Dillard. “We need to keep these individuals out of areas where there is often limited oversight by law enforcement officers, as well as surroundings that offer seclusion.”
The senator pointed to the March 14, 1960 sexual assault and murder of three Riverside women in Starved Rock State Park. The 50th anniversary of the tragic event was recently observed.
More recently, a former Naperville resident, 17 year-old Chelsea King was tragically murdered when she went running in a parkland area near her San Diego home. A convicted sex offender has been charged with the teen’s murder and possible sexual assault.
Child sex offenders are already prohibited from being in or loitering within 500 feet of a public park when children are present. Under Senate Bill 2824, convicted sexual predators and child sex offenders would be forbidden from being in or loitering within 500 feet of a public park.
Dillard said that the legislation is based on a city ordinance in a North Carolina town that prohibited registered sex offenders from being in any of the three city parks. The North Carolina Supreme Court upheld the city ordinance as constitutional.
Having been approved by the General Assembly, Senate Bill 2824 now proceeds to the governor for consideration. |
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 10 of 55 |
|
Office
Westmont
One South Cass Ave.
Westmont, IL, 60559
630.969.0990
Springfield
103 State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62706
217.782.8148
|
