Illinois Briefs - 2/19/13

Gun Hearing Today In Springfield

(Springfield, IL)  --  The House is holding a special meeting on gun laws today.  It's designed to give both supporters and opponents a chance to offer their views on the issue.  Lawmakers have four months to get a concealed carry law on the books. The meeting will be held at noon at the state capital in Springfield.  

Lawmaker Urges People To Sign Gun Petition

(Alton, IL)  --  A new petition is making the rounds, giving people a chance to weigh in on gun control.  State Rep Dwight Kay is behind the online petition.  He says Chicago politicians have blatantly disregarded the Constitutional right to bear arms for years, and now is the time to stand up and protect families and property from violent criminals. The petition will be presented to other lawmakers urging them to support a bill to legalize concealed carry.  Anyone who wants to sign it can check out Kay.ILHouseGOP.org.

Teen Tanning Ban Back On Docket

(Springfield, IL)  --  Tanning could soon be off-limits for anyone under 18.  State Senator Christine Radogno has introduced a bill that would ban all minors from tanning at indoor salons, even if they have parental consent.  Some medical experts claim the lights inside the tanning bed can cause

cancer.  A similar proposal failed in the legislature last year.     

Quinn Stands Behind Tamms Closure

(Chicago, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is standing behind his decision to close Tamms SuperMax prison, despite a recent spike in violence inside the system. Several prison guards have been beaten since the facility shut down in December and one inmate has been killed.  But Quinn says closing the prison was the right thing to do.  Many lawmakers and union leaders have criticized Quinn's plan, claiming he moved to fast and didn't have a clear plan.  Now inmates at six prison are sleeping on cots in the gymnasium because of overcrowding.

Gas Prices Up For 33 Straight Days

(Undated)  --  There's no relief in sight for rising gas prices.  Drivers have seen a steady increase for 33 days now and analysts say prices will likely keep going up.  On average, it costs about three-dollars-and 91 cents for every gallon of gas in Illinois.  Of course that drops slightly once you get outside the Chicago area.  According Triple-A, gas is cheapest in East Central Illinois, near Danville at about three-39 a gallon.   That's still 35-cents more than it was this time last year.