Illinois weapons ban faces federal suit, mayor proposes CTA bus cams and more in your Chicago news roundup

Good afternoon. Right here’s the most recent information it’s good to know in Chicago. It’s a few five-minute learn that may transient you on in the present day’s greatest tales.

This afternoon will probably be cloudy with a excessive close to 40 levels. Tonight will see some rain combined with sleet and a low close to 36. Showers are possible tomorrow with a excessive close to 44.

High story

Illinois State Rifle Affiliation, gun shops file federal lawsuit difficult assault weapons ban

The Illinois State Rifle Affiliation has filed a federal lawsuit difficult the state’s newly enacted assault weapons ban, saying it violates the Second Modification.

Plaintiffs additionally embrace St. Clair County resident Dane Harrel; C4 Gun Retailer, LLC; Marengo Weapons, Inc.; Firearms Coverage Coalition, Inc.; and the Second Modification Basis.

The lawsuit seems to be the primary in federal courtroom to problem Illinois’ new weapons ban, however it’s a part of a burgeoning authorized effort geared toward undoing the brand new regulation. Different lawsuits have been filed in state courtroom. Extra are anticipated in federal courtroom. It’s not clear which is able to acquire essentially the most traction.

The federal lawsuit, filed yesterday within the Southern District of Illinois, alleges that Illinois’ assault weapons ban denies residents “their elementary, particular person proper to maintain and bear widespread arms.” It argues that the weapons and magazines Illinois banned are literally in widespread use and “can’t be uncommon or harmful” — a distinction that will take away them from Second Modification safety.

“They can’t be banned, and the Illinois legal guidelines challenged herein have to be declared unconstitutional,” the lawsuit says.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker final week signed the measure that instantly banned the sale of assault weapons in Illinois and capped the acquisition of magazines at 10 rounds for lengthy weapons and 15 for handguns. It additionally made rapid-fire units, generally known as “switches,” unlawful as a result of they flip firearms into totally computerized weapons. These already proudly owning the banned weapons could be allowed to maintain them however must register them with the Illinois State Police by Jan. 1.

The go well with comes as a number of different lawsuits have popped up in southern Illinois, together with the criticism filed Tuesday in Effingham County by former Illinois legal professional basic candidate Tom DeVore on behalf of greater than 800 plaintiffs. The go well with seeks a short lived restraining order to halt enforcement of the regulation.

One other go well with filed on Jan. 13 in Crawford County claims the regulation’s provisions requiring gun house owners to register their assault weapons violates the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Structure, and that the regulation violates the Second Modification proper to maintain and bear arms, together with for self-defense.

Tina Sfondeles and Jon Seidel have extra on the challenges dealing with the weapons ban right here.

Extra information you want

1. A person with disabilities was shot and critically wounded this morning as he and members of his household waited for a bus outdoors their dwelling in Again of the Yards, in line with the native alderperson. Our Tom Schuba has extra on this heartbreaking growing story right here.
2. The mother and father of Elizabeth Grace “Lily” Shambrook, the 3-year-old killed by a truck driver as they biked in Uptown final yr, hope {that a} lawsuit they filed yesterday will enhance security for all bicyclists. The lawsuit alleges negligence in opposition to the truck driver and the truck’s house owners, and in addition ComEd, which owned a truck parked within the bike lane. The go well with additionally alleges misconduct by town of Chicago, claiming it didn’t do sufficient to stop the tragedy.
3. Throughout a Metropolis Council assembly in the present day, Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed putting in CTA bus cameras and different video surveillance to nail motorists who block bus lanes, bike lanes and loading zones. The ordinance would plunge Chicago deeper into the world of video surveillance and automatic ticketing.
4. Mayoral challengers Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia have closed the fundraising hole with Mayor Lightfoot, who continues to be spending twice as a lot cash as she’s elevating, however none of them have caught millionaire businessman Willie Wilson. That’s the underside line of the final quarterly stories to be filed with the state earlier than the Feb. 28 mayoral election. Our Fran Spielman has extra on what the brand new stories present right here.
5. Federal security inspectors have discovered that staff at Amazon warehouses in Waukegan and two different cities are at “excessive danger” of lower-back accidents and different well being issues due to work guidelines “designed for velocity however not security.” It’s the second time in two months that the three warehouses have been cited for safety-related violations.
6. Senior canine in search of their retirement properties may need higher luck due to an adoption occasion from PAWS Chicago in honor of legendary actress and comic Betty White. The Betty White Problem Senior Pet Adoption occasion reduces adoption charges for senior canine to as little as $101, in line with the group.

A brilliant one

Glen Ellyn pedestrian tunnel is stuffed with timber, due to Pilsen artist’s mural

Pilsen artist Juan De La Mora describes the mural that he not too long ago painted inside a pedestrian tunnel in Glen Ellyn as “actually an homage to the timber.”

Maple, apple, oak, ash and honey locust timber are proven in photographs that eat the tube-like area, which is 12 toes in diameter and stretches greater than 90 toes beneath railroad tracks in a residential space of the west suburb. The colours and foliage differ from one facet of the tunnel to the opposite in an effort to replicate the 4 seasons. One finish contains flowery buds on branches — a nod to spring. Subsequent to these are timber bearing the thick, inexperienced leaves of summer season. There are additionally yellows and oranges of fall and the barren branches of winter.

The colour of the sky additionally adjustments.

“In spring, it’s a lighter blue,” says De La Mora, 44, who had two assistants assist with the mural, Carla Alvarado and Marissa Mora. “It’s darker because it will get towards the winter.”

The challenge was initiated by the School of DuPage as a part of an effort by the varsity to create and have fun public artwork throughout DuPage County. The concept was to replicate in a roundabout way Glen Ellyn and “its historical past or surroundings.”

De La Mora did some analysis and located that Glen Ellyn has lengthy been related to timber.

“I used to be seeking to have fun timber and the affect that the 4 seasons have on their tree canopies and on the sky,” says De La Mora, who titled the mural “The Grove,” a nod to what was as soon as a closely forested space.

The timber he painted are sorts nonetheless discovered round Glen Ellyn.

We’ve received extra on De La Mora and his work right here.

From the press field

Your every day query☕

Who makes the most effective tavern-style pizza in Chicago? Inform us why.

Ship us an e mail at newsletters@suntimes.com and we’d function your reply within the subsequent Afternoon Version.

Yesterday we requested you: What’s one thing that may solely be present in your neighborhood — and nowhere else within the metropolis? 

Right here’s what a few of you mentioned…

“You’ll be able to solely observe discover Reuter’s Bakery in my neighborhood. Finest paczki on earth.” — Jo Ann Reksel

“A incredible little park jutting out into the lake as a peninsula — Promontory Level.” — Pierce Reade

“The forty fourth is the one ward within the metropolis the place vacationers from Indiana outnumber Illinoisans every day.” — Mary Ann Rosenblum

“The sound of the rail yard — Clearing.” — Mike Messina

“The zoo in Lincoln Park — it’s free and accommodates a beautiful number of animals and structure.” — Jonathan Boyer

“The most effective German meals is in North Heart — Laschets.” — Jane Borton

“In Buena Park on the east facet of Lake Shore Drive at Buena Avenue is the Peace Backyard, a one-of-kind tribute to encouraging peace regionally, nationally and internationally. With flagstone buildings, a small waterfall and luxurious landscaping it is usually a spot to ponder your individual inside peace.” — Gene Tenner 

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