Democrats Locking Away Gun Owner Rights
Democrats have advanced Senate Bill 8, the so-called Safe Gun Storage and Reporting Act, which would reduce the time to report lost or stolen firearms from 72 to just 48 hours. Repeat violations could lead to steep fines and even FOID card revocation.
My colleagues and I opposed this measure, arguing it unfairly punishes responsible gun owners rather than criminals. It’s unreasonable to expect someone to notice a missing firearm within 48 hours—especially when guns are stored securely in safes, seasonal cabins, or vehicles. Instead of targeting those who steal and misuse guns, SB 8 criminalizes victims of theft. The bill now moves to the House.
“Andrew’s Law” Proposed to Strengthen Protections Against Child Predators
I am co-sponsor of Senate Bill 284, a legislative proposal aimed at closing dangerous loopholes in Illinois’ criminal code that allow child predators to escape full accountability.SB 284 would prohibit plea deals for individuals charged with grooming, trafficking in persons, or involuntary sexual servitude of a minor.
The legislation would also impose stricter restrictions on where convicted child sex offenders can be present, barring them from facilities specifically designed for minors. Similar grooming-related legislation has been successfully passed in Florida, Iowa, Arizona, Georgia, and most recently, Montana.
The bill was inspired by the experiences of Michelle Peterson, whose son was the victim of grooming. Senate Bill 284 and House Bill 1140, the House companion bill to Andrew’s Law, are currently awaiting assignment to committees in their respective chambers.
Deadline Week Comes and Passes – Homeschool Bill Stopped for Now
This week marked the final week for Senate and House bills to pass out of their original chambers and move over to the other chamber for further consideration. Lawmakers spent long hours debating and voting on legislation as the clock wound down.
While many bills did not make it out of their respective chamber before the deadline, it is important to remember that it does not mean those bills are completely dead. There are still procedural tools available, including deadline extensions and the use of shell bills, which are existing legislation that can be amended to carry a proposal forward.
House Bill 2827—which sought to place burdensome regulations on homeschooling families—failed to advance in the House. That’s great news and a big win for homeschooling families, but the fight is not over. Keep pushing back! As the General Assembly moves into the second half of the session, lawmakers will now begin considering bills from the opposite chamber, with May 9 being the deadline for House Bills to get out of committee within the Senate.
Agriculture Day at the Capitol
On April 9, high school agriculture students, farmers, and ag professionals gathered at the Illinois State Capitol for FFA Day, part of the annual Illinois Ag Lobby Day tradition.
FFA Day is a valuable opportunity for students invested in the agricultural community to connect with legislators and share their perspectives. It’s encouraging to see young ag leaders stepping up and making their voices heard on issues that directly affect their future.
