Illinois lawmakers voted this week on a string of gun control measures amid renewed national concern about public safety. But Governor Bruce Rauner isn’t saying where he stands on most of the proposals.
Rauner hasn’t taken questions from Statehouse reporters since last months’ school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
So when he announced he’d be visiting a Springfield charter school to read to kids — even though his people said he wouldn’t take questions — it seemed like a reasonable opportunity to ask where he stands.
So far, only a proposal to require gun dealers to get a state license has made it to his desk. But unlike when he took his position against bump stocks, Rauner still won’t say whether he supports or opposes the license bill.
In an email, a spokeswoman says the administration is “encouraged” to hear “bipartisan conversation” and will review any bill sent to the governor’s desk.
That has yet to happen for many gun measures —like the proposed bump stock ban, which still needs Senate approval.