Batavia ban on assault weapons doesn’t look likely

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said he is not sure if the city council will vote on restrictions on carrying assault weapons under Illinois’ new concealed-carry law.

There have been so many proposals, amendments, vetoes and overrides, he said, “I don’t even know what I’m talking about anymore.” So he has asked the city’s attorney to research the issue.

Schielke said he didn’t know if a report would be ready for Monday’s city council meeting.

“My two cents would be that a local ordinance violation would not mean anything to anybody” intent on doing harm in Batavia, he said.

Municipalities have 10 days from when the law took effect to enact a regulation. The legislature overrode the governor’s amendatory veto July 9.

The Batavia council meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave.

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said no one on the council has expressed an interest in discussing the matter.

“We’ve been watching with great interest,” he said.

Burns also said it was unclear to Geneva officials whether the city could enact a ban, since it is not a home-rule community.

Sugar Grove Village President Sean Michels said the Metro West Council of Governments advised members that non-home-rule villages such as Sugar Grove couldn’t do a ban, so the matter won’t be discussed.