With Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker seated in the front row of the chamber, the Illinois House early Friday approved a sweeping ban on high-powered firearms about two hours after voting to shore up the state’s already expansive protections for abortion rights.
Both measures were at the top of the agenda for the Democratic-controlled legislature, and now head to the Senate.
The House passed the abortion measure in a 67-41 party-line vote. The gun legislation, which bans certain semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, passed 64-43 with outgoing House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs the lone GOP lawmaker to vote yes.
