The lame-duck session in the General Assembly last week focused heavily on an assault weapons ban. 

University of Illinois Springfield Professor Emeritus Dr. Kent Redfield says the lame-duck session also gave lawmakers to vote on other issues.

One of the more hot-button, but less covered issues, Illinois lawmakers pushed through a reproductive rights bill. Dr. Redfield says that there are some questions about what the state’s role is as one of the few states that allow abortion in the Midwest. 

Dr. Redfield says that the General Assembly established a fund to mandate employers provide five days of paid time off per year. 

He says that as it is, the assault rifle ban is not unconstitutional – unless the U.S. Supreme Court says it is unconstitutional.

Dr. Redfield appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.