Patch Chatter

How Can We Each Fight Gun Violence?

Some politicians have shared their ideas of how to curb gun violence. Now we invite you to jump into the discussion and share your thoughts in the comment section.

As Vice President Joe Biden prepares to meet with the National Rifle Association and other gun-ownership groups for talks at the White House Thursday, many politicians have voiced what they think should be done to curb gun violence.  Among those politicians are several North Shore village mayors and presidents who recently joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to call for stronger gun regulation as part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition aimed at cracking down on illegal guns. The coalition recently aired a commercial featuring Roxanna Green, the mother of one of those killed in the 2011 Tucson shootings, urging people to sign a petition on www.DemandAPlan.org.  Below is a look at how other state and local leaders are taking action in…

•  26 Comments
• Videos (1)

U.S. Rep. Robert Dold Will Host Meet & Greet in Northbrook

Congressman Dold plans to meet with constituents at his Northbrook office Saturday.

Tenth District congressman Robert Dold will be in town this weekend for a meet and greet with constituents at his office in Northbrook “This is actually the first one we’re doing at our office,” said district director Kelley Folino. Dold, a Republican who took the seat vacated when former U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk was elected to the U.S. Senate, has held two “town hall” events for the public in Libertyville and Palatine, according to Folino. Saturday’s event will simply be a chance for people to meet the freshman congressman and to get to know his staff at the Northbrook office. Despite the recent tragedy involving Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford’s, Folino said Dold’s staff wasn’t overly concerned about security. “We’ve had briefings from the …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Schakowsky Calls Shooting of House Colleague 'Shocking'

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords remains in critical condition with head wound at an Arizona hospital after attack.

Ranking Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky joined a bipartisan chorus of condemnation against the "terrible act of violence" directed toward her House colleague, Gabrielle Giffords, her staff and several Arizona constituents. "Congresswoman Giffords conducts herself in a dignified, civil manner and with a kind demeanor, making it particularly shocking that she would be the target of such violence," Schakowsky said in a statement issued Saturday evening. Schakowsky, who represents Illinois' 9th Congressional District that includes Skokie, said she was "horrified" of the news and is praying for the "full recovery" of her fellow Democrat, who is reported to be in critical condition at the University of Arizona Hospital in Tucson. Giffords was …

• Photos (1)