McLean County Times

Democrats have advanced Senate Bill 8, known as the Safe Gun Storage and Reporting Act, reducing the time to report lost or stolen firearms from 72 to 48 hours. There is an expectation that repeat violators could face substantial fines and potential revocation of their FOID cards. Senator Balkema criticized the measure, stating it unfairly penalizes responsible gun owners rather than criminals. Balkema said, "It’s unreasonable to expect someone to notice a missing firearm within 48 hours—especially when guns are stored securely in safes, seasonal cabins, or vehicles. Instead of targeting those who steal and misuse guns, SB 8 criminalizes victims of theft." The bill has progressed to the House for further consideration.

Senator Balkema also co-sponsored Senate Bill 284, termed "Andrew’s Law," which aims to close loopholes in Illinois’ criminal code regarding child predators. This proposal would ban plea deals for charges involving grooming, trafficking in persons, or involuntary sexual servitude of a minor. The legislation envisions stricter restrictions on the locations where convicted child sex offenders may be present, banning them from facilities designed for minors. Balkema noted that similar legislation has been enacted in states like Florida, Iowa, and Arizona. Senate Bill 284 and its House companion Bill 1140 are awaiting committee assignment.

As the week concluded, lawmakers faced the deadline for Senate and House bills to clear their original chambers. Despite some bills failing to pass, procedural tools such as deadline extensions and "shell bills" remain available for further movement. Notably, House Bill 2827, aimed at regulating homeschooling, didn’t advance in the House. Balkema called this development "great news and a big win for homeschooling families."

Lastly, April 9 marked FFA Day at the Illinois State Capitol during the annual Illinois Ag Lobby Day. High school students in agriculture, as well as farmers and agriculture professionals, gathered to share their views with legislators. According to Senator Balkema, "FFA Day is a valuable opportunity for students invested in the agricultural community to connect with legislators and share their perspectives."