Illinois House reacts cooly to ammo limits

By Kurt Erickson | Wednesday, July 11, 2007

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House is poised to hand Gov. Rod Blagojevich another setback, this time over the issue of gun control.

In the midst of a lengthy impasse over the state budget, Blagojevich has called on lawmakers to ban the sale, purchase and possession of gun clips that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

But observers on both sides of the divisive issue say there are simply not enough votes to get the measure passed.

Of the 60 votes needed for approval, gun control advocates and gun rights groups agree there are only about 50 solid “yes” votes. Not even the bill’s sponsor thinks it has enough support.

“The governor’s been out of town, out of touch and out of ideas to solve the fiscal crisis of the State of Illinois,” said Todd Vandermyde, spokesman for the National Rifle Association.

The showdown over guns comes amidst a contentious fight over the state budget. Tuesday’s meeting between the governor, legislative leaders and a group of rank-and-file lawmakers proved just as fiery as previous sessions.

The governor again railed on House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who does not support the governor’s plan to spend more on health care and schools.

He already has led the House in rejecting the governor’s plans to sell the lottery, raise taxes on businesses and expand gambling.

“Speaker Madigan is acting like a Republican,” said Blagojevich.

The governor described the two-hour, closed door meeting in positive terms.

“It was one of best meetings we’ve actually had,” said Blagojevich. “It was spirited and a lot of fun, I thought.”

Madigan and lawmakers who attended the meeting told a different version of events.

“Unfortunately, the governor came very close to losing his temper,” Madigan said. “He raised his voice and flailed a little with his arms.”

Quad-City area lawmakers say passage of the legislation could drive gun manufacturers in the Rock River Valley out of the state.

“This is another straw on the camel’s back. We already have manufacturers moving from Illinois and why we insist on chasing out the few who are left doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline.

“The governor is trying to use this issue and use it to move people’s attention away from his failure to get a budget in place. That’s the bottom line,” said Jacobs.

Kurt Erickson can be contacted at (217) 789-0865 or kurt.erickson@lee.net.