Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a bill that will tighten gun laws in the state for convicted felons. The bill, SB 1589, calls for the imprisonment of felons who are convicted on new weapons charges. Under the new law, felons convicted of unlawful use of possession of a weapon will be sent to prison for two years to 10 years. Currently, the punishment for such crimes by a felon is imprisonment from two yeasr to five years or probation. The new law gets rid of probation as a sentencing option altogther.

SB 1589 comes down harder on multiple weapons convictions as well. "Additional violations will now carry a sentence of three to 14 years behind bars. Felons who are currently on parole or mandatory supervised release can also be sentenced to three to 14 years in prison. Under the current law, all of these violators could simply be sentenced to probation," reads a press release announcing the bill's signing.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel commends the measure.

"This legislation is essential to enhancing the safety of our communities for residents and for our children," said the mayor. "Stronger state gun laws complement the City of Chicago's aggressive actions to increase public safety, which include passing an enhanced curfew ordinance, deploying more than 750 additional police officers to our streets, and expanding after-school opportunities to keep our children safe."