Gov. Pat Quinn signed tougher gun laws Monday in Chicago’s South Side, increasing penalties for anyone caught with an illegal firearm.
A host of lawmakers, including Mayor Richard Daley, were present at the signing, held at Nat King Cole Park, 361 E. 85th St.
“This legislation will reduce the threat of gun violence by sending a clear message that serious offenders will be held accountable and will not be let off scot-free as many of them have been in the past,” Daley said in a press release.
Also at the signing was the family of slain police officer Thomas Wortham, who was shot and killed outside his parents’ home on May 19. Two other Chicago Police officers have been killed since his death.
State Senator Jackie Collins said deceased Officer Michael Bailey was her constituent. And having a gun did not save his life.
“I’m proud that instead of accepting the violence — and the gang thugs and drug dealers who are behind most of it — that we’re standing up to it in Chicago and Illinois. We all support the second amendment and responsible adults who legitimately want a gun in their home for self defense,” Daley said in the release.
The bill, HB 5832, was one of a package of gun laws that the city proposed in Springfield, according to the release.
The new state law goes into effect January 1. The City of Chicago recently approved a strict gun law following a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that would make the city’s handgun ban invalid.