Scaled-Down Gun Crimes Bill Expected To Pass In Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- A scaled back mandatory minimum sentencing bill is expected to sail through the Illinois General Assembly tomorrow.
The bill to get tough on gun crimes and backed by Mayor Emanuel no longer deals with first-time offenders.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports that is because it had no chance of passing with opposition from a pair of strange bedfellows, the black caucus and the NRA. Eliminating one opponent removed the roadblock to passage on what was another strange day in Springfield.
It rained million dollar bills this morning, as anti-government protestors screamed their displeasure in the gallery, and showered lawmakers with what they called federal bribery notes.
They were quickly ushered out of the chamber. A much quieter form of lobbying was underway on the floor itself with Democratic Representative Mike Zalewski of Riverside crossing the aisle to seek support for Mayor Emanuel's mandatory minimums bill,
"There are powerful interests and forces trying to stop that type of change," said Emanuel.
The Mayor had wanted to require some jail time for first offenders violating gun laws, longer prison terms for gang bangers and repeat offenders. In the end, Zalewski concluded the votes weren't there.
"We're gonna focus on gang members and felons right now and try to get that bill passed," said Zalewski.
Zalewski says the first-time offender element is out of the bill.
NRA lobbysist Todd Vandermyde says the NRA now supports the bill. Not so members of the black caucus.
"If mandatory minimums were the panacea for crime, don't you ink we would have passed it a long time ago? We're talking about an issue that is far more comprehensive in our respective community," said State Rep. Kenneth Dunkin.
Back in the House, another significant bill was passed without fanfare, legislation to reform Chicago Park District pensions by raising the retirement age, reducing cost of living increases and increasing both city and employee contributions.
It was sponsored by speaker mike Madigan. Republican State Senator Robert Pritchard asked Madigan, "Isn't this a good model that we ought to try to use for our state pension problems?
Madigan responded, "The answer is yes."
What Madigan didn't say is that plans are afoot for a special session early in December, when we've learned House and Senate leaders expect to have a full-fledged pension reform package ready, using some of the same cost cutting measures as the park district.
