Illinois lawmakers target illegal gun users

Posted on April 10, 2017

State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) is backing a measure intended to reduce gun violence.(Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By RFD Radio/WFMB

SPRINGFIELD – Repeat gun offenders are being targeted by Illinois lawmakers.

The Illinois Senate passed a bill that will give longer sentences to individuals who are caught over and over again with illegal guns. The push back from the legislature is in direct reaction to the ongoing gun violence in Chicago.

Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, said the Safe Neighborhoods Act won’t lead to over-crowded prisons, rather it will protect people living in violent areas.

“I heard about it’s going to lock up more black and brown people,” Raoul said. “It’s not going to lock up a single a more person, but the black and the brown people I’m most concerned about are the ones getting shot.”

There are criminal justice reforms as part of the bill. Non-violent offenders will be moved into rehabilitation programs.

The House now gets to have a say on the matter.

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