Quinn signs 3 public safety laws

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed three pieces of legislation that he says will improve public safety efforts in Illinois.

Quinn signed the bills Wednesday at a news conference on Chicago's South Side. Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez also was at the event, where she announced the opening of the county's second Community Justice Center.

One of the news laws Quinn signed increases penalties for disarming a peace officer or correctional institution employee. Another law adds the street drug commonly known as BZP to the state's list of Schedule 1 controlled substances. A third law allows stalking victims to pursue court orders of protection.

Quinn says the new laws will preserve Illinoisans' "safety and security."