Illinois officials reinforce stance on guns in light of Conn. massacre
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CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Governor Quinn and Mayor Emanuel addressed the Newtown, Conn. shooting on Friday, expressing deep sympathy to the families of those who were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary.
"I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the horrific massacre that occurred today," Quinn said in a statement. "All of Illinois prays for the victims of this senseless violence and their families. May God bless the immortal souls of all those who lost their lives. In their remembrance, I have ordered all flags across Illinois to be flown at half-staff beginning today.
The Illinois governor repeated his stance that guns - especially assault weapons - don't belong anywhere near schools, churches, or other public places. He referenced the Northern Illinois University classroom shooting in February of 2008 when making that statement.
"It is the foremost duty of government to protect public safety, especially the safety of children and students," Quinn said. "As governor and as a parent, I intend to spearhead passage of strict laws that will protect our children and the people of Illinois from gun violence."
Quinn also ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff in memory of the dozens killed.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel addressed the school shooting Friday, calling on the city to remember the Newtown families in their time of loss due to senseless gun violence.
The Chicago mayor asked the public to rededicate themselves to protecting children, their ability to feel safe in their place of learning, regardless of where they live.
"It is incumbent upon us today to remember them, to put them in our prayers," Emanuel said, "and to rededicate ourselves to making sure that our laws reflect what is important to us, because that is the safety of our children and their protection."
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Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
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The derailment of an Amtrak City of New Orleans train on the Near South Side Sunday morning led to delays and a couple cancellations for trains on Metra's Rock Island District line.
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