SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) voted today to approve a bipartisan, balanced budget.

The budget is balanced through a combination of spending cuts and pension reform. It restores funding to vital human service programs and fully funds K-12 and higher education.

“It is a breath of fresh air to vote on a budget package that was the result of bipartisan negotiations rather than partisan bickering,” Harmon said. “I am encouraged by our efforts to continue the stability we put in place last year, and I hope the people of Illinois are as well. ”

Included in the budget is $350 million in new funding for public schools, in line with the new education funding formula passed last year, as well as $50 million for early childhood education.

The plan also rolls back Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 10 percent cut to the Local Government Distributive Fund, resulting in approximately $120 million more for municipalities.

Funding is restored to human services programs, including: community mental health centers, youth employment services, addiction treatment and prevention services and the Child Care Assistance Program.

“This is a responsible budget that was crafted in a responsible manner,” Harmon said. “I urge Gov. Rauner to follow the example of his Republican colleagues in the House and Senate and sign this into law.”

The budget package now moves to the House for final approval before heading to the governor’s desk.

SPRINGFIELD – A bipartisan plan to regulate gun dealers and reduce the number of illegal guns being used to commit crimes in the state was sent to the governor today.

Senate Bill 337, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), is the result of a bipartisan compromise that took place after Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a similar measure on March 13.

“This bill took into consideration the governor’s concerns about red tape,” Harmon said. “Seeing the bipartisan support it received in both the House and the Senate, I look forward to the governor honoring his commitment to public safety and signing it into law.”

Senate Bill 337 contains provisions to better record and track private gun sales. It treats all firearm licensees the same, regardless of their size. It requires the Illinois State Police, rather than the state agency that regulates professions and occupations, to certify gun dealers.

Additional provisions in the bipartisan proposal include:

•    requiring gun dealers to safely store firearms at all times,
•    requiring gun dealers to make copies of FOID cards or IDs and attach them to documentation detailing each gun sale,
•    requiring employees to undergo annual training about the law and responsible business practices, and
•    requiring gun dealers to open their place of business for inspection by state and local police.

Senate Bill 337 passed both the House and the Senate on a bipartisan vote and heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced $45,000 in new funding to remodel and renovate the Elmwood Park Public Library’s public service area.

Elmwood Park’s library is one of 15 statewide to be awarded a Live and Learn Construction grant. Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded $724,424 in grants this year to help pay for essential capital improvements.

“Libraries play a central role in our communities and provide invaluable resources,” Harmon said. “I am pleased that Elmwood Park’s library received this recognition from the state.”  

Information concerning the Illinois State Library’s Live and Learn Construction grant program can be found at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/livelearn_construction.html.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate today approved a bipartisan initiative to regulate gun dealers and reduce the number of illegal guns being used to commit crimes in the state.

Senate Bill 337 is sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and builds on a similar measure he sponsored that Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed March 13. Lawmakers were unable to override the veto despite urging from Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, medical professionals who treat gunshot victims and others.

“We are back with a much better bill that addresses the governor’s concerns about small businesses, but we are doing so without compromising public safety,” Harmon said.

Senate Bill 337 contains provisions to better record and track private gun sales. It treats all firearm licensees the same, regardless of their size. It requires the Illinois State Police, rather than the state agency that regulates professions and occupations, to certify gun dealers.

To crack down on illegal transfers after a gun purchase, it establishes a penalty for those who fail to maintain a record of private gun sales and requires the state police to make key information about guns used in crimes available to the public.

Additional provisions in the bipartisan proposal include:

•    requiring gun dealers to safely store firearms at all times,
•    requiring gun dealers to make copies of FOID cards or IDs and attach them to documentation detailing each gun sale,
•    requiring employees to undergo annual training about the law and responsible business practices, and
•    requiring gun dealers to open their place of business for inspection by state and local police.

Senate Bill 337 was approved 35-18 and will be sent to the House for consideration.

“This is a sensible measure that satisfies everyone’s concerns,” Harmon said. “It doesn’t compromise our objectives, nor does it infringe on anyone’s 2nd Amendment right to buy, sell or own a firearm. I look forward to passage in the House and to Gov. Rauner signing it into law.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) joined Democratic and Republican lawmakers today to announce a new effort to tackle the issue of illegal guns being used in crimes in Illinois.

The legislation, Senate Bill 337, incorporates portions of Harmon’s Gun Dealer Licensing Act, which Gov. Bruce Rauner recently vetoed, as well as provisions to better record and track private sales.

“We took seriously concerns about the bureaucracy included in the Gun Dealer Licensing Act,” Harmon said. “This legislation provides much-needed oversight on gun purchases without creating a new bureaucracy.”

Harmon’s measure would require the Illinois State Police, rather than the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, to certify dealers.

The legislation also treats all firearm licensees the same, eliminating exemptions for small and large dealers to focus on their actions, not their size.

To crack down on illegal transfers after a gun is purchased, the measure puts in place a penalty for individuals who fail to maintain a record of a private sale and requires State Police to make key information about guns used in crimes available to the public.

“We recognize that blame does not lie solely on the dealer when someone uses a gun to commit a crime,” Harmon said. “By certifying gun dealers and implementing better practices to track straw purchasers, we hope to be able to make it harder for someone to use an illegal gun to commit a crime.”

Several key provisions from the Gun Dealer Licensing Act are :

•    requiring gun dealers to implement a safe storage plan for firearms during retail hours and after closing,
•    requiring the posting of signage reminding employees and customers to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have access,
•    requiring certified licensees to make a copy of the buyers or transferee’s valid FOID card or ID and attach it to the documentation detailing the sale,
•    requiring employees to have annual training regarding legal requirements and responsible business practices,
•    and requiring certified licensees to have their place of business open for inspection by the State Police and local law enforcement.

Senate Bill 337 awaits action in the Senate.