With his death-penalty ploy, Rauner uses an old trick he learned from his enemy: Mike Madigan

In April, Republican legislators set their terms for supporting social justice measures, telling Democrats in so many words: If you want our support, you have to give us something in return.

Otherwise, we’re voting no, even if we really want to vote yes.

Well, on Monday, Governor Rauner upped the ante, declaring, in so many words, that if Democrats want him to sign sensible gun-control legislation, they have to agree to bring back the death penalty.

In each case, we're seeing Republican political hardball that's not so much about forging bipartisan legislation as it is about hitting Democrats over the head with a forge.

Rauner's amendatory veto came on HB 1468, proposed by state rep Jonathan Carroll, a Democrat from Northbrook. It would require a 72- hour wait before purchasing an assault weapon, a sensible piece of legislation if ever there was one.

Read more: https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2018/05/16/with-his-death-penalty-ploy-rauner-uses-an-old-trick-he-learned-from-his-enemy-mike-madigan