A BILL AWAITING THE GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE EXPANDS A PROBATION PROGRAM FOR FIRST TIME GUN OFFENDERS.

UNDER THE LEGISLATION, JUDGES COULD SENTENCE A PERSON OF ANY AGE CAUGHT ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A GUN TO SIX TO 24 MONTHS OF PROBATION INSTEAD OF JAIL TIME. IT WAS SPONSORED BY SENATOR RAM VILLIVALUM (villy-vallum) OF CHICAGO.

SENATOR STEVE MCCLURE OF SPRINGFIELD OPPOSED THE BILL.

THE CURRENT PROGRAM WAS SET TO END IN JANUARY BUT THE LEGISLATION MAKES IT PERMANENT.