Bill needed to protect families at risk

In Illinois, individuals can file an order of protection in cases of domestic abuse, and a firearm restraining order in crisis situations where a family member has access to firearms and may cause harm. Yet a gaping hole exists due to a loophole, and this loophole is deadly.

In 2023, Jose Alvarez was charged with fatally shooting his wife Karina Gonzalez and teenage daughter, and wounding his teenage son. Just last month, Winston Elquezabal, who had been charged with domestic battery, killed his wife then himself, with two teenagers in the home.

Illinois can end this loophole now. Karina’s Bill, named after Karina Gonzalez, would require a judge, when issuing an order of protection, to also issue a search-and-seizure warrant for firearms if there is probable cause the person has access to firearms and poses an immediate and present danger to the petitioner or a child.

Yet the Illinois Senate is dragging its feet on this bill. The state House passed Karina’s Bill, but the Senate has not moved it out of committee, and might miss the opportunity to act on it before the current legislative session ends this spring.

Government is tasked with protecting us. By not acting to pass Karina’s Bill, our elected legislature is putting Illinois families, especially women and children, at risk. Join me in asking your state senator to support Karina’s Bill, and asking Sen. Don Harmon to call the bill. This is urgent, now.

Two-thirds of women killed by an intimate partner are killed with a gun. More than two-thirds of mass shootings are domestic violence incidents or are perpetrated by shooters with a history of domestic violence.

We can’t wait any longer to pass Karina’s Bill. Call your state senator today.

Judy Janes

Palatine