Lame Duck Session Concludes
Red Flag Gun Laws, More Green Energy Spending, Name Changes for Illegals, and More!
Every two years the Illinois General Assembly holds session in the days leading up to their Inauguration (which took place yesterday). This session is known as “lame duck” due to the participation of members who are just days away from no longer holding office.
This session is designed really to be used in emergencies; to take up items which are actually necessary to be passed on such short notice and cannot wait to go through the spring legislative process. It is extremely rare for a bill to meet such criteria; instead the Democrats typically drop new legislation because they can shove it through without much time for scrutiny. This lame duck was no different.
First of all- they wasted your money the first three days of the session. The majority party was happy to hold session for 20-30 minutes the first two days just so they could get their $170 per diem payments. The first three days of session totaled less than four hours combined of time on the floor, but cost the taxpayers $90,000. Watch Rep. Miller’s floor speech on this here:
Some of the key bills that were passed during Lame Duck:
Red Flag Gun Laws HB4144
This bill was put forward as an answer to domestic violence issues. Obviously we support victims of domestic violence, and do not believe that violent criminals should have access to weapons to harm others.
Unfortunately, this bill is not all that it was purported to be. There are major constitutional and due process concerns with this law. Our concern is that, with no due process, hearings will take place without the lawful gun owner having a chance to appear and a warrant will be issued for the seizure of their firearms. Further- if the accusations/court order against them is found to be without evidence or overturned, we know that the FOID card reinstatement process is burdensome and lengthy and will leave people not only without their 2nd Amendment rights, but also stuck in the bureaucratic process of getting there FOID back. Freedom Caucus All Voted No, some Republicans did vote yes.
Name Changes for Illegals HB5164
Plain and simple- this bill allows people who have been in the state for a very limited amount of time to change their name, and have the change protected from the public. It also makes it more difficult for law enforcement to access these records. This bill will absolutely open the state up to having illegal immigrants able to change their name in an effort to circumvent or impede federal immigration officials. Disgrace.
Inauguration
Representatives Miller, Wilhour, Niemerg and Halbrook of the Freedom Caucus took part in a swearing in ceremony on the third floor of our beautiful State Capitol. Joined also by Rep. McLaughlin, these Representatives were sworn into the 104th General Assembly today, and are committed to working for common sense solutions to the problems facing working families in this state; problems that are a result of bad public policy passed in this very building. They were sworn in by conservative Judge Michael McHaney.
In the Senate, Andrew Chesney was sworn in as well. His message is right on point.
Finally, on Tuesday we said farewell to Freedom Caucus founding member Rep. Dan Caulkins. Dan has been a part of our conservative effort since day one. He’s stood against the Democrats’ fiscal insanity, green energy agenda, gun grabs, and more. He’s also advocated for DCFS, Nursing Home patients, and other issues close to his heart. He will be deeply missed on the House floor.
Today in Springfield we will be voting on the rules in the House and Senate. After today- business will resume in Springfield on January 28th. Stay tuned!