Kane Co. Board shows support for 2nd Amendment despite debate

It wasn't the ringing endorsement a card-carrying member of the National Rifle Association would want, but the Kane County Board did approve a resolution in support of the Second Amendment Tuesday.

Much of the debate on the issue centered on why the board was even tasked with such a vote during a time when it's shaking couch cushions to solve budget woes. The matter was put before the county by the Illinois Pro 2A group, which has pushed most county boards in the state to take a stance. Kane was one of seven counties to not pass some sort of supportive resolution going into Tuesday's vote.

"I'm not sure why we need to debate any amendments to the United States Constitution," said County Board member Bonnie Kunkel, of Aurora. "We're not in any position to change them."

That summed up the general sentiments of board members who had an issue with resolution. The words under debate were a much watered-down version of the resolution proposed by the Illinois Pro 2A group. Its version specifically calls on the state to not pass any laws infringing or banning the possession of firearms for uses already approved in the state. Kane County's version mostly restates the Second Amendment itself. An attempt to add more of the Illinois Pro 2A group wording was shot down in the closest vote ever on the county board while Karen McConnaughay has been chairman. McConnaughay cast the first tiebreaking vote of her tenure to end a 12-12 deadlock. She voted against the more strongly supportive wording for gun rights on the grounds that she'd vote "No" in any tiebreaker, regardless of the issue, unless it directly impacted the health and welfare of county residents.

That put the watered-down version back on the table.

"I want to make it clear that if one decides to vote against this that you are not voting against the Second Amendment," said Jerry Jones, of Aurora, the senior Democrat on the board. "The point is, are we to become the tool of a special interest to forward their agenda? The resolution in front of us asks us to support something we have already sworn to do."

Republicans like John Hoscheit, of St. Charles, said that argument lacked merit because the board tackles requests from special interests, such as from its own unions, on a regular basis.

In the end, the county board approved the resolution with a 19-4 vote. County Board Member Jeanette Mihalec, of Elgin, voted present. "No" votes included Jones, Kunkel, and Donnell Collins and Ron Ford of Aurora. Mihalec voted "No" on the more strongly worded version.