Reminds Wrigleyville Crowd that Weapons and Alcohol Don't Mix

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today visited the popular area surrounding Chicago's Wrigley Field to discuss the importance of common-sense gun laws in Illinois, especially when it comes to concealed carry. Earlier this week Governor Quinn issued an amendatory veto of House Bill 183, legislation that would allow and regulate the carrying of concealed handguns in public places, to address several serious safety problems. One of the governor's critical changes to ensure public safety is to prohibit concealed weapons from public areas such as taverns and restaurants where alcohol is served.

"Guns and alcohol are a toxic mix," Governor Quinn said. "Public safety should never be negotiated away or compromised, and I will never support a flawed concealed carry bill that puts public safety at risk. The common-sense changes I outlined this week make this a better law and I encourage people to visit KeepIllinoisSafe.org, contact their state legislators and urge them to support these important changes."

On Dec. 11, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit struck down Illinois' ban on the concealed carry of guns in public, an unprecedented ruling. Illinois then had until a court-established deadline of July 9 to pass concealed carry legislation. Legislators took six of the seven months allotted to pass a flawed bill that, despite the governor's objections, included too many provisions inspired by the National Rifle Association.

The governor's critical changes to House Bill 183 establish a better law that puts public safety first. The changes would keep guns out of establishments serving alcohol, including most family restaurants and other places where large amounts of alcohol are consumed; limit the carrying of concealed guns to one and one ammunition-magazine with no more than 10 bullets; and continue to allow local governments to enact assault weapon bans in their communities in the future.

House Bill 183 strips the authority of home-rule governments to enact future laws on assault weapons to protect their local communities. This NRA-inspired provision is not in the interest of public safety or local communities. In fact, these provisions have nothing to do with the right to carry a concealed gun and have no place in this bill. Local governments should always have the right to strengthen their own ordinances to protect the public safety of their communities.

Full details of the governor's amendatory veto as well as how to contact your legislator are available at www.KeepIllinoisSafe.org.

The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield on July 9 to act on Governor Quinn's amendatory veto. They can vote to accept the veto, which requires a three-fifths majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or they could vote to override the veto, which requires a three-fifths majority in both chambers. If both chambers do nothing, House Bill 183 will not be enacted and Illinois' current concealed carry law will be struck down by the courts

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Jesse Wierzbicki has three hits for Quad Cities in first loss in last seven games against Kane County

GENEVA, Ill. (JULY 4, 2013) - The Kane County Cougars were on the scoreboard before the Quad Cities River Bandits recorded an out in the bottom of the first inning Thursday night, and the home team never let the visitors closer than two runs the rest of the night in a 7-4 Independence Day victory at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark the snapped the River Bandits' five-game winning streak.

Quad Cities (10-4 second half, 48-34 overall) had won the last six meetings with Kane County (3-11 second half, 33-47 overall) to open an 11-2 lead in the season series, but the Cougars had the upper hand almost from the start.

After Cougars right-hander Felix Pena worked a 1-2-3 top of the first inning, River Bandits right-hander Juan Minaya (1-2) walked and hit the first two batters in order. After a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, Cougars first baseman Dan Vogelbach grounded a double down the third-base line that gave Kane County a 2-0 lead. A ground ball moved Vogelbach to third base, and shortstop Marco Hernandez had an infield single to second base that brought home Vogelbach for a 3-0 margin.

In the next half inning, the River Bandits got a leadoff single by first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki, followed walks to three of the next four batters to force in a run. But Pena struck out second baseman Austin Elkins and retired center fielder Teoscar Hernandez on a flyout to center field to strand the bases loaded with a 3-1 lead.

After Minaya allowed three runs on four hits, four walks and two hit batters in three innings, left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the bottom of the fourth inning. He gave up a one-out infield single and hit batter before Vogelbach and third baseman Jeimer Candelario hit consecutive RBI singles to make it 5-1. Lambson then retired seven straight batters to finish three innings of work.

Wierzbicki had a team-leading three hits - all singles in his first three at-bats - including an RBI single with two outs in the fifth inning to close the lead to 5-2. That set up the last time Quad Cities brought the tying run as far as home plate. Left-hander Nathan Dorris (3-3) walked left fielder Dan Gulbransen before getting third baseman Rio Ruiz to hit into a bases-loaded, inning-ending fielder's choice.

Cougars second baseman Gioskar Amaya finished a triple shy of the cycle and capped a three-hit game by hitting an eighth-inning, leadoff home run against right-hander Jamaine Cotton that extended the lead to 6-2. Left fielder Reggie Golden hit a double and scored on a ground-ball double play for a 7-2 Cougars advantage.

Right-hander Dillon Maples allowed a ninth-inning, two-run double by Teoscar Hernandez in the final three innings to earn his first save.

Quad Cities will continue its only scheduled five-game road series of the season on Friday night at Kane County. River Bandits right-hander Jordan Jankowski (3-1) will face Cougars left-hander Brain Smith (2-3).

UP NEXT: Golf Night and the John Deere Classic Celebration open the River Bandits' six-game homestand Wednesday against the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Modern Woodmen Park. Fans can also enter copies of the bills into a drawing to be one of the two paid up to $100 by the River Bandits on a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by U.S. Bank and Mix 96. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

New Laws Honor Veterans and Servicemembers by Easing Process of Becoming Police Officers, State Troopers, EMTs and Commercial Vehicle Drivers; Recognizing Military Skills and Experience

 

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - Governor Pat Quinn today celebrated the Fourth of July by signing a package of bills helping more members of the United States Armed Forces, Reserves and Illinois National Guard find employment as police officers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and commercial vehicle drivers. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to support our Veterans and servicemembers. The new laws will utilize the experience, teamwork and discipline servicemembers gain on the front lines to help serve the public on the home front.

"Our servicemembers and Veterans are some of the best-trained men and women in the world and are perfectly suited for a number of important jobs," Governor Quinn said. "Anyone who has driven a military vehicle in Iraq should be qualified to drive a commercial vehicle in Illinois. Anyone who has treated shrapnel wounds from an IED in Afghanistan should be able to treat an accident victim here."

"Our Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen go through exceptional training with the highest standards to earn the titles of military police officers or medics or truck drivers," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, Illinois National Guard Adjutant General. "As citizen-Soldiers, this is a great opportunity for them to apply those military-acquired skills in the civilian sector."

"Thanks to Governor Quinn's leadership and the efforts by the sponsors of these bills, our Illinois Veterans will have additional access to jobs and opportunities," Erica Borggren, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs said. "Illinois Veterans appreciate these important acts to ease the transition into the civilian workforce."

House Bill 2563 allows members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves and Illinois National Guard who have at least two years experience operating a military motor vehicle to bypass the state skills test in applying for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Sponsored by State Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Sycamore) and State Sen. Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago), the new law will help address a shortage of CDL drivers across the nation and provide an additional career path for servicemembers.

"This concept came up in discussions with my district Veteran's Advisory Council as a way to help military personnel transition quickly back into the private sector," State Rep. Pritchard said. "This legislation gives Veterans credit for skills learned while serving in the military as they apply for civilian licenses and jobs."

"Veterans who have extensive experience in driving commercial vehicles should not have to pay to take a test," State Sen. Muñoz said. "This will allow our Veterans coming home from active duty to attain their CDL more quickly and find employment."

Sponsored by State Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg) and State Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign), House Bill 3186 recognizes members of the armed forces, Reserves and Illinois National Guard's military training and clinical experience when applying to be an EMT. The bill also waives the application fee for all Illinois State Troopers or members of the Illinois National Guard who volunteer as an EMT in a municipality with a population of 5,000 or fewer. Supported by the State's Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, the new law will help create more EMTs in underserved areas and throughout Illinois.

"By signing HB 3186 into law, Governor Quinn is doing two very important things," State Rep. Moffitt said. "First, it allows communities across the state to benefit from the valuable and extensive training and skills in EMS that many of our Veterans bring back to civilian life and can be used to make our communities even safer places. Second, it is a way to express our appreciation to our Veterans for their service by opening more job opportunities for them using some skills gained in the military. It's a win-win."

"There is an increasing need for EMTs in rural communities throughout Illinois, however, it has been difficult to recruit candidates to fill these positions," State Sen. Frerichs said. "I am proud we found a way to not only recruit qualified EMTs but to make it easier for former members of the military to bring the skills they learned in the field back to our communities."

Senate Bill 204 - sponsored by State Sen. Muñoz and Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) - makes college degree requirement exemptions for certain members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Illinois National Guard looking to become Illinois State Police officers. Current law permitting the exemption already exists, but only lists two medals as requirements to qualify for exemption. The new law will expand the list of medals required, helping more servicemembers find employment.

"This legislation will create more opportunities for Veterans to become Illinois State Police officers, and I am pleased that the governor signed it into law," State Rep. Hoffman said. "The skills our servicemen and women acquire in the armed forces make them a valuable asset in the law enforcement field."

HB 2563, HB 3186 and SB 204 are all effective Jan.1.

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