Lyons/Governor Sign Safe Neighborhoods Act

April 18, 2000

LaGrange . . . State Representative Eileen Lyons (R-LaGrange) joined Governor Ryan and other legislators Thursday, April 13^th in signing the Safe Neighborhoods Act into law. 

  “There has been a lot of media attention on this issue and it has been going on for months,” said Lyons.  “I am very happy that we finally were able to come to a compromise that will help keep Illinois safe.”

  The General Assembly passed the Safe Neighborhoods Act on Monday after reaching a compromise to create a new offense of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.  There are now nine situations, which could lead to a Class 4-felony charge.

  Included in these situations, are having a loaded weapon accessible upon being stopped by police; or having a weapon and ammunition immediately accessible. 

  Lyons said the Safe Neighborhoods Act also requires the State Police to notify a person by mail 60 days before their registration would expire.  “This provision ensures that law abiding citizens who may forget about renewing their registration will be given a reminder by the state, so that they will not be in danger of committing a felony,” said Lyons.

  The Safe Neighborhoods Act was struck down by the Illinois Supreme Court in December, 1999.  During the five years that the illegal possession of a firearm was a felony, the number of arrests for illegal weapons on the street declined, as did the rate of violent crime in Illinois. 

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