Carbondale Reporter

The deadline for Illinois firearm owners to register their "assault weapons" and attachments has passed, as of January 1, 2024. The implementation of the state's assault weapon ban has been met with controversy and confusion. While the sale and purchase of certain firearms were immediately banned when the "Protect Illinois Communities Act" was signed into law on January 10, 2023, residents who already owned banned assault weapons and attachments had until the deadline to register them with the Illinois State Police.

According to the Illinois State Police, 29,357 people registered their assault weapons before the deadline. Additionally, information about 68,992 firearms and 42,830 attachments was submitted to the Illinois State Police. However, these numbers represent only approximately 1 percent of all gun owners in the state.

The ban on assault weapons continues to face legal challenges, with several court cases, including two at the United States Supreme Court, questioning its constitutionality.

In other news, the ongoing migrant crisis is causing concern as it spreads beyond Chicago to surrounding communities. Since August 2022, over 28,000 noncitizens have been sent to Chicago from the U.S. border. The Chicago City Council recently passed new rules limiting the number of buses allowed to arrive at the city's designated "landing zone" during specific hours. However, this has led to some buses dropping off migrants in surrounding suburbs without notice to local officials. As a result, there is growing backlash from these communities, as they struggle to handle the influx of noncitizens and are considering passing their own ordinances to fine bus companies for unscheduled drop-offs.

State Senator Terri Bryant is concerned about the financial impact of the migrant crisis on Illinois. The state has already seen a significant increase in spending on programs for noncitizens, including a free healthcare program for undocumented immigrants. Senator Bryant fears that these costs will only continue to rise as more noncitizens choose Illinois as their destination.

In a more positive development, more than 30 local schools within the 58th Senate District have been awarded nearly $31,000 in grants from the state of Illinois. The funding can be used for resources such as books, technology, and programs to benefit the students. This initiative aims to support education and provide students with the necessary tools for success.

In the realm of politics, former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke has been found guilty on multiple corruption charges, including racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion. His sentencing is scheduled for June 19, 2024, where he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. This case highlights the ongoing problem of corruption among public officials in Illinois. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan also faces corruption charges, and his federal bribery trial has been scheduled for October 8, 2024.

State Senator Terri Bryant has been a vocal advocate for stronger ethics laws in light of these corruption cases. She believes that they are indicative of a long-standing issue that has plagued Illinois for too long.

Finally, Senator Bryant is launching her annual "Valentines for Seniors" card drive as Valentine's Day approaches. This initiative aims to uplift the spirits of local senior citizens by delivering homemade cards to nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other long-term care facilities throughout the 58th Senate District. Students, scout groups, churches, and other organizations are encouraged to participate by creating and sending in their cards to Senator Bryant's district offices.

The deadline for submitting cards is February 5th, and they can be mailed or dropped off at either of Senator Bryant's district offices. For more information, individuals can contact Senator Bryant's office directly.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://senatorbryant.com/2024/01/10/bryants-bulletin-january-10-2024/