Daywatch: Illinois Democrats file bill to ban assault weapons
Good morning, Chicago.
Democrats in the Illinois House have unveiled a proposal to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines and eliminate the ability for most people under 21 to obtain a gun permit in the state.
The legislation, filed on the final legislative session day of 2022, is a response to the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, where seven people were killed and dozens of others injured by a shooter using an assault-style rifle and high capacity magazines.
And though Illinois is considered to have some of the strongest gun laws in the country, national researchers are recommending additional steps to ensure the public is safe from firearm violence.
A 16-page report by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, released Thursday, recommends barring gun permits — even with parental or guardian sponsorship — for those younger than 21, banning large-capacity magazines and strengthening the state’s red flag law.
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Divorce, financial issues preceded deaths of 5 - including two children - in Buffalo Grove that police are investigating as domestic violence
Officials released the names of the two children and three adults found dead with sharp-force injuries after a “domestic-related incident” in Buffalo Grove this week, as court records painted a picture of a turbulent divorce and financial issues for the couple in the home.
Neighbors remained stunned by the apparent killings, though police shared few details about the deaths in the Acacia Terrace house that officers had forced their way into Wednesday before making the gruesome discovery.
MSI welcomes another piece of space travel history to its collection
After traveling to and from Earth’s orbit and beyond, the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft has arrived at its new home at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Launched in August 2017, this first-generation Dragon vehicle has flown to the International Space Station twice to transport spacewalk equipment, vehicle hardware, computer resources and other cargo.
Thinking outside the box to feed the hungry: ‘Community Fridge’ in downtown Aurora makes food readily available
“When I first noticed the fridge earlier this year, sitting outside the lower level entrance to Endiro Coffee in Aurora, I did not know what to make of it,” writes Denise Crosby. “Even after I was told it was a grassroots effort to reach those struggling with food insecurity, I still wasn’t quite sure what to think.”
“A refrigerator sitting outside a downtown restaurant, filled with fresh produce and meats, with canned items and paper bags clustered around it, seemed like an odd way to feed people when Aurora has two major food pantries that have outreach programs and other church-based groups. Shows how much I had to learn.”
Ray Bradbury Experience Museum looking for new home
No longer housed in downtown Waukegan, the Ray Bradbury Experience Museum is looking for ways to fulfill its mission of honoring the famed writer in his hometown without a permanent location.
Originally located on the first floor of the Greater Waukegan Development Coalition — now known as the Hub — Eddie Soto, the director of the Lake County Tech Hub and a resident of the space, said the museum outgrew the first-floor space there.
Column: Aaron Rodgers vs. Justin Fields. This is exactly what the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry needs — right here and right now.
“Perhaps it would be in the Green Bay Packers’ best interest to put their four-time MVP quarterback on the shelf for the rest of 2022, to let Aaron Rodgers rest his battered ribs and take care of his broken right thumb,” writes Dan Wiederer. “The Packers then could take a longer look at young Jordan Love and begin to make a more informed evaluation of their possible quarterback succession plan. Always good to keep an eye on the future, right?”
“But nope. Forget that. This is Bears-Packers, man.”
Beery Christmas and Hoppy New Year: 10 festive beers to stuff in your holiday stocking
Candy canes are fun. Gift cards are useful. But nothing festively stuffs a stocking — or brightens a Hanukkah or Kwanzaa for that matter — quite like a beer tasting of the season.
Holiday beers come in an array of styles: light and dark; elaborate and blessedly simple; sweet, tart and savory. What they tend to have in common, though, is packing a punch. Here are our 10 favorite festive finds, each guaranteed to help create the happiest of holidays.
