State Senator Laura Murphy voted for community and school safety in a suite of gun violence prevention measures that went before the Senate this week.

“We cannot control gun laws in Indiana or Wisconsin. We can control what we do in Illinois to prevent guns from falling into the hands of criminals and limit access to assault weapons,” said Murphy, a Democrat from Des Plaines, who contrasted her votes with Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto Tuesday of a bipartisan gun dealer licensing bill.

“Unfortunately, the governor chose to ignore the voices of thousands of Illinoisans and listened to the gun lobby rather than allay the fears of parents who simply want their children to be safe. No parent should bury their child because they sent them to school.”

Murphy voted to prohibit the sale of assault weapons to individuals under 21. She also supported and co-sponsored House Bill 1467 to ban bump stocks and trigger cranks. Lastly, she supported legislation to lengthen the waiting period for assault weapons to 72 hours from 24 hours. This mirrors the existing waiting period for handguns.

“As students were walking out of school across the country in protest of gun violence, the Illinois Senate passed legislation to make our communities and classrooms safer,” Murphy said. “I am proud to stand united with students and do my part to support stricter gun legislation.”

State Senator Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat, joined Rex Parker in celebrating the 115th anniversary of the Village Press.

“It is always a pleasure to celebrate our community’s successes and rich history,” Murphy said. “Though the Village Press called Park Ridge home for only a short time, it went on to win acclaim at the 1904 World Exhibition. The memory of the Village Press lives on through its publications and the type designs of its founder, Frederic Goudy.”

The Village Press was established in Park Ridge in 1903 by Frederic W. Goudy and was modeled on the ideals of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. The McLean County Museum, located in Goudy’s hometown of Bloomington, will honor Goudy’s work and the 115th anniversary of the Village Press with an exhibit titled “Frederic Goudy: Titan of Type” this fall including a series of 35 posters designed by Park Ridge artist Rex Parker to honor Goudy’s achievements.

In the photo to the right, Rex Parker, a former Park Ridge alderman and artist, joins State Senator  Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) in celebrating the 115th anniversary of the Village Press.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat, released the following statement in response to the governor’s budget address:

“The governor failed to deliver a balanced budget his first three years in office, the detrimental effects of which Illinoisans still feel today. Now he plans to push the burden of balancing his budget onto middle- and low-income taxpayers. His budget proposal shifts existing pension costs onto local school districts, which will significantly increase property taxes for homeowners. I do not believe that increasing property taxes to solve the budget crisis is the answer. We need a realistic plan that doesn’t balance the budget on the backs of the middle class.”

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DES PLAINES – More senior citizens could save money on their property taxes under legislation filed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

Murphy’s proposal raises the income limit to $75,000 for senior citizens to claim the assessment freeze homestead exemption on their property taxes. The cap currently is $65,000.

“I think the legislature should do more to help seniors stay in their homes and not be pushed out by rising home values and property taxes,” Murphy said. “That’s why I introduced a plan to raise the income cap for the senior freeze exemption.”

The senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption allows qualifying senior citizens to maintain the equalized assessed value of their home. This prevents increases in home valuations and property taxes.

Senate Bill 2305 has an immediate effective date upon approval by the legislature and governor.