Mayor Daley has arranged for the City Council to pass new gun-control legislation by Friday even though aldermen have yet to see it or even sit for briefings on it.
City officials say an ordinance that will replace the city’s 28-year-old handgun ban will be considered by the council’s police and fire committee on Thursday, though notice of the meeting hasn’t been posted on the city clerk’s website. And the mayor’s office has quietly called a special meeting of the full council for Friday—on the eve of the long holiday weekend—so the measure can be enacted.
But as of Wednesday, most aldermen hadn’t seen a copy of the legislation, which Mayor Daley has called “critical” in stopping rampant violence in Chicago. Few I asked about it were even aware that they would be expected to vote on a new law within 48 hours.
“I haven’t seen it yet,” said 33rd Ward alderman Richard Mell.
“We haven’t heard anything,” said 6th Ward alderman Freddrenna Lyle.
“Nothing yet,” said 31st Ward alderman Ray Suarez.
“All we know is speculation and what we’ve read in the paper or heard on the radio,” said 41st Ward alderman Brian Doherty.