David Sigale wrote a blistering reply to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request for a 30-day extension on the existing 180-day stay on the Seventh Circuit’s ruling that Illinois’ Unlawful Use of Weapons law is unconstitutional.
It’s chock full of goodness that makes baby Jesus smile:
1. Defendants’ motion is unauthorized by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, plainly presented for dilatory reasons, fails to fully disclose the relevant factual circumstances, and otherwise lacks merit. Considering that the state’s remedial legislation passed with overwhelming veto-proof majorities in both houses, as well as the Governor’s deep and protracted involvement in this issue, the time for delay is over. This Court has spoken. The People of Illinois, through their representatives, have spoken. There must be some finality to this process. The motion should be denied.
Oh yeah.
But it gets better:
Nothing required the Legislature to wait until the last possible moment to pass a law.
Ouch.
Respectfully, the notion that the Governor requires additional time to gather his thoughts about this subject is not welltaken.
…Defendants argue that the Governor needs more time to consider the remedial legislation, but they ignore that the Governor closely followed the legislative process—and took positions on various bills and amendments within hours of their proposal. Indeed, the Governor wasted no time tweeting his views as the legislation emerged. See, e.g. https://twitter.com/ GovernorQuinn/status/338000476404580353 (last visited June 4, 2013) (“SB2139 is wrong for #IL. We need strong gun laws that protect the people of our state & this bill puts public safety at risk”); https://twitter.com/GovernorQuinn/status/33800068438 3350788 (last visited June 4, 2013) (“I will not support this SB2193 and I will work with members of the #IL Senate to stop it in its tracks”); https://twitter.com/GovernorQuinn/status/339478339855187969 (last visited June 4, 2013) (“Sen. @KwameRaoul’s HB183 provides a reasonable framework that would protect critical gun safety ordinances across #IL”). His views—and strategy—are likely quite well-formed.
Poor clueless Quinn. While playing dumb comes quite naturally to this man, the federal courts aren’t impressed with “play” by subjects of their orders.
There’s more, but you get the gist of it.
We’re going to be eagerly awaiting the Seven Circuit’s decision on Madigan’s stay request. We have a feeling it will be a good read.
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