Even with overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly Governor Pat Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and Senate President John Cullerton were unable to negotiate a compromise on pension reform during the spring legislative session, and after downgrades from two of the nation’s top rating agencies the Governor has called a June 19 special session.

Quinn called the legislature back to Springfield in an attempt to shift responsibility for inaction on pensions to legislators, despite his own lack of input and failure to advance any reform plan of his own.

Last week Fitch Ratings lowered its rating on Illinois’ outstanding general obligations bonds from “A” to “A-“ with a negative outlook.  The negative outlook means that further reductions could be in Illinois’ future without action to reduce the state’s overwhelming pension burden.  Moody’s Investors Services followed suit on June 6 dropping their rating from A2 to A3 and also keeping a “negative watch.”

“We have been warned for months that downgrades were absolutely going to happen if the General Assembly failed to act on pension reform; these ratings shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone,” said Duffy.  “The Democrats in Springfield spent the whole spring session kicking the can down the road and as a result we adjourned without any sort of meaningful progress on stabilizing Illinois’ grossly overburdened pension system.  These downgrades are the logical consequence of inaction.”

A federal judicial panel ruled on June 4 to grant a one-month extension, giving Governor Pat Quinn until July 9 to review Right-to-Carry legislation passed by the General Assembly at the end of the spring legislative session.

Months of negotiations culminated in passage of House Bill 183, as lawmakers sought to approve a concealed-carry bill in anticipation of a June 9 federal deadline requiring the state implement some form of Right-to-Carry. In addition to the July 9 extension, Attorney General Lisa Madigan has until June 24 to file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Attorney General could file an appeal asking the nation’s high court to overturn the December 2012 decision issued by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which gave the state 180 days to enact a Right-to-Carry law.

Following months of negotiation the Illinois General Assembly advanced HB 183, a measure affirming Illinois citizens’ right to carry a concealed firearm. If signed into law by Governor Quinn this will allow Illinois to join the rest of the nation in allowing some form of Right-to-Carry.  Illinois was under a June federal court deadline to adopt a Right-to-Carry law.

The bill contains common sense safeguards that ensure adequate training and background checks for those applying for a concealed carry permit. It also preempts all local ordinances affecting concealed firearms and ammunition, including registration, licensing, possession and transportation, for those with a concealed carry license.  

Applicants will not have to demonstrate a need in order to carry, but they will have to undergo 16 hours of training, more than any other state in the nation, and pay a $150 application fee. The concealed carry license will be good for five years.