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The URL for this article is at
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-16-2001/0001593408&EDATE=
Sorry for the oversight.
Leon Felkins
At 04:29 AM 11/14/01 -0600, Leon F. wrote:
>Organization: Forfeiture Endangers American Rights http://www.fear.org/
>FEAR also offers a low-volume announcements list and digests for all lists
>
>An article dated 10/16/01, entitled "Attorney General Ryan Unveils
>Legislation to Fight Domestic Terrorism", tells of the effort of the state
>of Illinois to pass similar legislation as the tyrannical "USA PATRIOT"
>bill, even using the same scheme of rushing it through with little review.
>
>Some quotes from the article, along with a snide comment or two:
>
>============================
>
>CHICAGO, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney General Jim Ryan, flanked by top
>law enforcement officials and legislators, unveiled state anti-terrorism
>legislation that would give state and local police agencies and
>prosecutors new tools to fight terrorists.
>
>(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981201/CGTU043 )
>
>Ryan said the legislation is needed immediately to allow state and local
>law enforcement to assist, when necessary, in the nationwide hunt for
>terrorists operating within our borders.
>
>[Yes, apparently with the gazillion laws that Illinois has on the books
>there is nothing there that would allow them pursue anyone who
>intentionally destroys persons and property -- if it somehow gets labelled
>as "terrorist attack" ]
>
>"We must use every tool available to prevent the mass murders of thousands
>of Illinois citizens," Ryan said. "We should put aside any partisan
>differences and try to enact these measures as quickly as possible."
>
>[Read "partisan" to mean "those who believe in the principle of
>constitutional government" and "those who don't.]
>
>Already, the legislation has the support of key law enforcement groups
>such as the Illinois State's Attorneys Association, Illinois Sheriff's
>Association, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Illinois Law
>Enforcement Training and Standards Board, Illinois State's Attorney's
>Appellate Prosecutor and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7.
>
>[Hmm, same crowd that fights forfeiture reform, all standing to gain from
>more stringent laws. I would like to see some citizen's groups in there.]
>
>The legislation would create an anti-terrorism statute with both criminal
>and civil provisions. The most important elements, according to Ryan, are
>ones that focus on stopping terrorism acts before they occur. The legislation:
>
>-- Gives the state the ability, for the first time, to acquire
>intelligence via wiretaps for suspected acts of terrorism.
>
>-- Amends wiretap authority to apply to the individual, rather than the
>phone line, so terrorists can't thwart law enforcement by using multiple
>phones.
>
>-- Allows the Attorney General to seek an immediate order freezing the
>assets of suspected terrorists, requires banks or financial institutions
>to freeze funds they find to be used for terrorism, and makes it a
>criminal and civil violation to financially help terrorists, subject to
>prison terms and civil forfeiture.
>
>-- Allows for swifter search warrants in terrorism cases by allowing
>telephone or oral court approval instead of written approval. -- Allows
>for the Attorney General to prosecute terrorism cases through the
>Statewide Grand Jury.
>
>-- Requires those convicted of terrorist-related acts to submit blood to
>the confidential statewide DNA database.
>
>-- Limits the ability of non-resident aliens to acquire a state Firearm
>Owners Identification Card.
>
>-- Creates the new Class X offense of terrorism with penalties of 20 years
>to natural life and mandatory natural life when death is caused.
>Establishes terrorism as a qualifying factor for the death penalty.
>
>-- Creates new Class X offenses of Solicitation of Material Support for
>Terrorism and Making a Terrorist Threat.
>
>[Ah, yes, "stopping terrorism acts before they occur" -- I wonder how far
>we can go with that? I long for the good old days when the cops proudly
>proclaimed that they were limited to making arrests *after* the crime is
>committed and were helpless to act to prevent it.]
>
>===================================
>
>Please, would one of you residents of that part of the country, keep us
>informed of the progress of this legislation?
>
>Leon Felkins
>FEAR Executive Director
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>http://www.fear.org
>
>
>Organization: Forfeiture Endangers American Rights http://www.fear.org/
>FEAR also offers a low-volume announcements list and digests for all lists
>List update: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Subject=FEAR-talk-update
>List unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe
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