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Governor wants gun-control bills passed, too

Posted July 09, 2007 11:00 pm

Mike Ramsey

By MIKE RAMSEY

and ADRIANA COLINDRES

GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

CHICAGO - Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget-related feud with House Speaker Michael Madigan detoured Monday into the issue of gun control as the governor threatened to call a "series" of special sessions on the topic.

Amid a continuing deadlock on a state spending plan, the governor appeared with victims of gun violence in an attempt to pressure the House to pass a Senate bill that would ban "high-capacity" ammunition clips. Blagojevich did not mention Madigan by name but obviously sought to cast his fellow Chicago Democrat in an unfavorable light.

"How is it that a bill that passed the state Senate that would ban ammunition clips like this didn't get a chance to have a vote in the House?" the governor said during a news conference at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Blagojevich has been engaged in an escalating war of words with Madigan since the Democrat-controlled General Assembly failed to pass a fiscal 2008 budget by the May 31 deadline. Minority Republicans now have leverage in the process because it will take a supermajority of lawmakers to pass a spending plan.

"We'll probably be there (in Springfield) for the next several days, the next several weeks, and who knows how much longer than that," Blagojevich said. "While we're there, we might as well take care of some other business as well.

"And so this is the beginning of a whole series of special sessions that I will be calling to take care of unfinished business," he added. "And if some legislative leaders don't want to call these bills for a vote on their own, we'll call special sessions and make them call these bills for a vote."

In a 31-26 vote, the Senate sent Senate Bill 1007 to the House two months ago. The measure would ban the Illinois sale and possession of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Critics say larger clips make semi-automatic handguns and military-style assault weapons more dangerous.

Blagojevich said he wants lawmakers to consider other gun-control measures, too, such as limiting firearm purchases to one weapon per person each month.

In the House, members blasted the governor's tactics as diversionary, although some voiced support for the gun-clip legislation. But a Democratic sponsor of the bill, Rep. Harry Osterman of Chicago, said he's not interested in calling the measure until he secures enough votes to pass it.

"I have no objection to considering any issue while the legislature is in session," Madigan said later in Springfield. "But the reason we're here is for a budget. We're very delayed in doing our budget - we've been here since January - we ought to focus on adopting a budget for the state of Illinois."

He said a number of issues remain outstanding, such as electric rate relief and predatory lending, and he may still call those and legislation on other subjects before the General Assembly adjourns.

Meanwhile, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the speaker supports SB1007 while Blagojevich has been silent about gun control for the past several months.

He said the governor's news conference "seems kind of abusive" toward the grieving family members who appeared with him. Speakers included Chicagoan Denise Reed, whose 14-year-old daughter, Starkeisha, was killed by a stray bullet in March 2006.

"Dragging these people to this public forum seems like a curious tactic," Brown said.

Reed, who became emotional during the news conference, said the bill "should have passed, hands down." Illinois State Police Director Larry Trent held up several high-capacity ammunition magazines, including one that holds 90 bullets, and asked: "Tell me, who needs these?"

Blagojevich did not remain in Chicago to take questions from reporters. Hours later, he joined Madigan and other legislative leaders in Springfield for the latest round of budget negotiations.

A Blagojevich spokeswoman said the special session on SB1007 had not yet been scheduled.

Blagojevich already has called special sessions in an attempt to force lawmakers to deal with state finances and the budget. House members balked at the governor's earlier proposal to impose a multibillion-dollar tax on businesses to provide medical coverage for uninsured adults in Illinois. Although Blagojevich is fighting with Madigan, he is allied with Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.

Dana Heupel of the State Capitol Bureau contributed to this report. Mike Ramsey can be reached at (312) 857-2323 or ghns-ramsey@sbcglobal.net. Adriana Colindres can be reached at 782-6292 or adriana.colindres@sj-r.com.

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