SKOKIE, Ill. – State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback, D-Skokie, issued the following statement regarding the meeting today between White House Senior Staff and legislative leaders of Illinois, California, Delaware, and New York on holding gun manufacturers accountable:

“For years federal law has prevented legal accountability for gun manufacturers that have failed to innovate and make guns safer. Their reckless and irresponsible business practices have contributed to gun deaths and injuries in our communities. They bear a significant measure of responsibility for the epidemic of mass shootings and other gun violence that has plagued the nation from Buffalo to Highland Park to Uvalde, to name just a few.

Today I was delighted to meet with White House staff as well as legislative leaders from other states who have led the way on cracking the gun industry’s broad immunity from legal accountability at the state level. Our discussion resulted in a very productive dialogue. I am happy to see the Biden administration prioritizing the prevention of gun violence, and excited to be among my counterparts as they take major strides in addressing the public safety and public health crisis of gun violence.

In Illinois, in addition to holding gun manufacturers accountable through liability, we have the opportunity to restrict civilian ownership of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, further strengthen  Illinois’ Firearms Restraining Order, improve our FOID system, as well as embrace technologies like microstamping that have great potential to help make our communities safer. The will to take bold action in preventing future tragedies is at an all-time high, and now is the time to seize the initiative.”

Stoneback’s office is reachable at 847-673-1131 or info@repdenysestoneback.com.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 1092 into law, a measure championed by State Representative Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie). With over 400 mass shootings and over 10,000 people dying as a result of gun violence so far this year, 2021 is on track to be the deadliest year of gun violence in decades.

HB 1092 strengthens the Firearms Restraining Order (FRO) Act by including yearly training for law enforcement on its implementation and creating an education and awareness campaign for the general public through the Illinois Department of Public Health. It also expands the categories of petitioners to include former spouses and people with a minor child in common.

The measure is designed to prevent the next mass shooting, hate crime, or gun suicide by temporarily removing firearms from individuals in crisis who pose a significant risk to themselves or others. When a FRO is granted, this bill will ensure that firearms—and now ammunition and firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm—are removed in a timely manner. This marks the first ever step by the state to address ghost guns in Illinois.

“I want to thank Governor Pritzker for signing this bill into law today,” says Representative Stoneback. “Thousands of Americans have already lost their lives this year due to gun violence and this doesn’t come a moment too soon. This legislation is one more step in doing our part as lawmakers to prevent further tragedies from gun violence.”

“I am incredibly thankful for the work and leadership by Representative Stoneback to get this bill on the Governor’s desk,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “House Bill 1092 will improve public awareness, as well as bolster police training, which will help result in tangible reforms to save lives.”

With the Governor’s signature today, the bill will take effect June 1, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – In the wake of nearly 200 mass shootings so far this year, State Representative Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie) passed HB 1092 out of the Illinois House.

While we continue to deal with COVID-19, we have to address the more chronic pandemic of gun violence that continues to kill innocent Americans every day. A mass shooting in Evanston killed five people in January of 2021. Since then, we have seen more mass shootings in Atlanta, Boulder, and most recently in Indianapolis, Kenosha, and Colorado Springs. 

In 2018, the Firearms Restraining Order (FRO) Act passed with bipartisan support and it went to effect in January of 2019. Designed to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a significant risk to themselves or others, this law has been vastly underutilized due to a lack of awareness and inconsistent implementation.

House Bill 1092 strengthens our existing FRO law in order to prevent the next mass shooting, hate crime, or gun suicide in Illinois. When a FRO is granted, this bill will ensure firearms—and now ammunition—are removed in a timely manner. This bill will also include yearly training for law enforcement on the use of the FRO and create an education campaign for the general public through the Department of Public Health. 

“I became a legislator to fight gun violence,” says Representative Stoneback. “HB 1092 is an opportunity to prevent further tragedies like the ones we have seen across the nation. No family should have to bury their child, spouse, or loved one due to preventable gun violence.”

“From the bottom of my heart, I applaud Representative Stoneback’s diligent leadership on this bill,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “By improving public awareness of firearm restraining orders and bolstering police training, this bill will bring about specific, tangible reforms that can save lives and protect people from falling victim to gun violence.”

HB 1092 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Denyse Stoneback, D-Skokie, released the following statement in response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address.

“As we begin budget negotiations amid a pandemic, it’s essential to continue funding the services that have helped keep Illinois citizens safe, such as free testing and vaccine distribution. In addition to these vital services, we must prioritize the needs of those most affected by the pandemic by ensuring housing security, providing accessible mental healthcare, and offering resources to small businesses to keep our communities strong. At the same time, it is important to continue work on criminal justice reform and violence prevention.

“The governor has offered a good starting point for our state to address the budget crisis caused by the pandemic. As a legislator, I look forward to working with the governor’s office to address Illinois’ most pressing budgetary issues.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – New state Rep. Denyse Stoneback, D-Skokie, issued the following statement after being sworn into her first term as state Representative in the 102nd General Assembly on Wednesday:

“Today is Inauguration Day for the 102nd General Assembly. What is normally a day filled with parties and celebrations will be decidedly more subdued, a reality many across our state know too well. This past year, we have seen some unprecedented challenges, but today the work begins to help meet those challenges. I am honored the citizens of the 16th District have elected me to be a part of that effort.

“Today, I will be casting my vote for Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch as the next Speaker of the House. Rep. Welch has a history of being a champion on many issues important to my District, including fighting for an equitable education for all, providing healthcare to our most vulnerable citizens, and advocating for crucial gun safety legislation. I’m excited to see where his leadership will take the House Democratic Party.

“I want constituents to know that I am here and ready to serve them. Starting today, constituents can contact our district office via phone at 847-673-1131 or by email at info@repdenysestoneback.com. The office will be located at 8707 Skokie Blvd, Suite 102 in Skokie IL, 60077, and information about in-person meetings will be forthcoming. Our district office is here to help you. 

“I look forward to working for my district and putting forward a legislative agenda that will tackle issues such as preventing gun violence, reforming our campaign finance system, and improving access to affordable housing.  

“I feel honored to have the opportunity to be my community’s voice in Springfield. I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring a fresh perspective and progressive values to create a brighter future for the state of Illinois.”