Hernandez to Meet with Students About Keeping Neighborhoods Safe at Gun Violence Town Hall

CHICAGO – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, will meet with local students to discuss the need for tougher gun laws and measures she has supported to effectively address gun violence on Monday, May 14 at 10:20 a.m. at the Farragut Career Academy, located at 2345 S Christiana Ave. in the Little Village neighborhood.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to have this open discussion with the students of Farragut Academy about gun violence and what can be done to solve it,” Hernandez said. “Keeping our communities safe has always been a top priority of mine, which is why I have always fought to ensure programs like CeaseFire are fully funded and why I am fighting to crack down on military-style assault weapons.”

Earlier this year, Hernandez voted to pass a series of commonsense gun safety measures including:

• House Bill 1467, which bans bump stocks and trigger cranks;
• House Bill 1465, which raises the age limit to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21;
• House Bill 1468, which extends the waiting period for assault weapons; and
• Senate Bill 1657, which expands licensing requirements for gun dealers.

Since then, Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has vetoed the gun dealer licensing legislation and is still sitting on legislation to expand the waiting period for assault rifles.

“Communities like the Little Village have had enough. I am inspired by the wave of young people becoming involved in the process and making their voices heard,” Hernandez said. “I look forward to having a productive conversation about what we could do together to increase safety in our neighborhoods so we can go about our daily lives without the fear of senseless gun violence.”