Illinois Briefs - 1/21/13

Downstate IL District Looks At Guns For Admin.

(Peoria, IL)  --  A school district in  downstate Illinois could become the state's first to arm its administrators with handguns.  School board members in Washington, Illinois near Peoria are mulling a plan that would give some administrators handguns at work, in light of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary.  The city's police chief is just one official to tout the idea.  Nearly eleven-hundred students are in the district's system.         

Quinn "Greatly Proud" Of President Obama

(Chicago, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is in Washington, D.C. today, attending the swearing-in ceremony for President Obama's second term.  Quinn says he looks forward to working with the president on getting more people insured with health care coverage.  Quinn says he is greatly proud of President Obama, especially as of late when it comes to banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines.

Democratic Race For Governor Heating Up

(Washington, DC)  --  The race for governor is heating up as candidates on both sides of the aisle consider a run for the state's top office.  Now, Attorney General Lisa Madigan has confirmed she's mulling the idea.  She says she's among a group of people considering how to be of greater

service to the people of Illinois.  Madigan isn't the first Democrat considering putting Governor Quinn out of a job.  Former White House Chief of Staff, Bill Daley has also said he's looking at the job.

Gay Marriage Passage Very Likely

(Springfield, IL)  --  Lawmakers say the prospects of legalizing gay marriage in Illinois are very strong.  State Senator Heather Steans g the public has warmed up to the idea.  The proposal has made strides in the legislature.  It passing out of a Senate committee earlier this month but stalled once it went to the full Senate.  It started back at square one January 9th but lawmakers in the House and Senate say it will be a priority once they return to Springfield early next month.

Decades Old Poem Highlights Gun Control Fight

(Champaign, IL)  --  Gun control is one of the hottest issues on the table across the nation right now but, it appears it's not the first time it's caused a stir.  Famous poet and Galesburg native Carl Sandburg penned a poem about guns and violence titled, "The Revolver," which clearly highlights the fight over 2nd Amendment rights.  A few lines read "Here is a revolver... It delivers unmistakable ultimatums... Hunger, fear, revenge, robbery hide behind it... It is the club of the savage turned to magnificent precision... It is more rapid than any judge or court of law... When it has spoken, the case cannot be appealed to the supreme court, nor any mandamus nor any injunction nor any stay of execution in and interfere with the original purpose."  A former professor and volunteer at the U of I in Champaign Urbana uncovered the previously unpublished poem last week.

January Is National Stalking Awareness Month

(Undated)  --  January is National Stalking Awareness Month.  Nearly six and a half million adults are stalked each year in the United States.  Stalkers will repeatedly call their victim, follow them, and send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails threatening to hurt their victim or their loved ones.  The stress and anxiety of being a victim of stalking can affect a person's lifestyle, self-esteem, and sometimes force them to move or quit their jobs.  Stalking laws have been put in place in all 50 states but less than 1/3 of states classify stalking as a felony upon first offense.