Villa-Backed Measure to Address Rise in Highway Shootings Signed by Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As a part of her continued efforts to pass gun safety reforms, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently supported legislation to aid in the investigations of highway shootings and to promote overall safety on local expressways by increasing the number of cameras on Cook County highways.

“It is clear that more needs to be done to address senseless gun violence and promote gun safety in our local communities,” said Villa. “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to help keep dangerous criminals off of our roadways, and investigate offenders that use firearms on roadways.”

Villa supported House Bill 331, which will allow local police departments, Sheriffs and the Illinois State Police to use images from expressway cameras to investigate firearm offenses and detect expressway hazards. The measure, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is named in honor of Tamara Clayton, who was killed by a shooting on I-57 in Cook County.  

“We have seen a sharp uptick in the number of expressway shootings in recent years. This measure is a stride in the right direction, taking a practical step to hold criminals that use firearms on our local expressways accountable,” continued Villa.  “I will continue working to pass commonsense gun safety reforms, prevent senseless gun violence and keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals.”