Is there finally a glimmer of hope for America’s deadliest city? On Thursday, the Illinois Senate voted 35-9 to impose stiffer prison sentences for repeat gun offenders. The measure is aimed at reducing violent crime in Chicago.
With Windy City violence on track to outpace last year’s homicide total of 762, Senate Bill 1722 passed easily. The measure would revise the guidelines judges use in determining sentences for repeat violent offenders. Judges currently can hand out sentences in the range of three to 14 years. Under SB 1722, judges would be required to sentence repeat violent offenders to seven to 14 years, and would have to explain any deviation from that range.
SB 1722 follows the advice given by NRA’s Wayne LaPierre: “If you want to stop violent crime … take violent criminals off the street. Prosecute them under the current federal gun laws, and make sure they don't get to their next crime scene. That's the way to save lives.”
