House speaker presses Quinn to sign concealed carry
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is urging Gov. Pat Quinn to sign legislation allowing the carrying of concealed guns.
The Chicago Democrat said Tuesday that a veto would be ineffective. The concealed carry legislation the General Assembly approved last month passed by votes large enough to override a gubernatorial veto.
Illinois is the last U.S. state to prohibit the public possession of concealed guns. A federal appeals court declared the ban unconstitutional in December. It ordered a remedy by June 9 — which it later extended to July 9.
Quinn — also a Chicago Democrat — has not said what position he’ll take on the bill but has expressed concerns for strong restrictions on firearms.
Madigan predicted Quinn would act in a way that benefits his re-election campaign in 2014.