Political discourse in assault weapons ban law

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News is truly an ongoing project. Changes are frequent with amendments in bills, personnel adjustments, and new information. Keeping up takes time, precision, tenacity, endurance.

What is complete one day likely will change the next day, or, the next hour. What is captured in print is a snapshot at the time of the snapshot.

Case in point was the work of the bills passed by the State House and State Senate Friday, Jan. 6 through the evening, Monday, Jan. 9. The two governing bodies worked together with give and take to form one bill for JB Pritzker, governor, to sign which he did Tuesday, Jan. 10, one day following his inauguration.

Disagreement, agreement, compromise, are essential in government bodies. Give and take. Little is all one way or another way. To some involved in political discourse it just may appear to be completely one sided. According to Capitol News Illinois, which supplies The Voice with State news and information, Illinois became the ninth U.S. State to pass and sign an assault weapons ban. Those who voted against it in The State houses claimed to vote against it on principle, constitutional basis, and of course those supporters who do not want a ban for what ever reason or reasons it may be for the supporters.

Nothing new.

The bottom line is the ban on assault weapons is the law in our State and compliance is part of the process. The other bottom line is how many lives will be saved, injuries reduced, and family tragedy sidetracked because of fewer attacks. Discourse and dialogue will continue, often both positive and filled with hyperbole. Life goes on and the political discourse is gauged more by how helpful it is to greater good than to bringing harm to the majority.

• Nika Schoonover of the Capitol New Illinois team brought a focus to the Pritzker ceremony Monday, Jan. 9 in Springfield that led to the governor’s second term. The ceremony was at the Bank of Springfield Center. Pritzker reflected on his first term. “The hope we share, the hope I expressed at my first inauguration, was born of a truth lodged firmly in my heart, that Illinois has always stood at the intersection of American ambition and human resilience. That combination is what has made (Illinois) the greatest state in the Union.”

Pritzker said education will be a main priority in his second term, and he emphasized the importance of making preschool more readily available and college tuition free for every family with median income, or below. “When I campaigned for reelection,” Pritzker said, “I promised to (help) pass an assault weapons ban.”

• Dr. Robert Renteria continues doing good deeds, especially for those who need a hand up. He is the author of the series, From the Barrio to the Boardroom. Recently he has done good works with Papa John’s restaurant chain to help feed thousands of families in northern Illinois. Good works are always an order of the day in any form it takes to offer a hand up.

• Aurora Fifth Ward alderman Carl Franco will be host to information meetings Tuesday, Jan. 17 and Wednesday, Jan. 18, both held at 6:30 p.m. at the Ward meeting room, 1921 W. Galena Boulevard in West Aurora Plaza Shopping Center. Representatives will present updated information. Guest speaker will be Jim Rhodes of the Aurora Fire Department with a discussion of a new station planned for northeast Aurora. Guest speaker will be Katrina Boatright, coordinator of Aurora senior and disability services.

• Aurora Central Catholic High School students will perform seven original one-act plays they wrote and are directing. The school’s 11th annual “Weekend of One-Acts, according to Al Benson of The Voice, will be at the school, 1255 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora. General admission is $5. and a limited number of reserved seats are $10. each. Concessions will be available.

• We understand that a force for good never grows old and we all can be authors of assisting others.

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