River Cities’ Reader publisher Todd McGreevy talks with WQUD GM Aaron Dail about the contents of the August edition of the River Cities’ Reader. With Floatzilla and Alternating Currents both wound down (the interview took place on 16 August), it’s time again to feed your heads the old-fashioned way — by reading stuff. Preferably stuff with heft. Stuff for discerning eyeballs. Stuff that reminds you of your rights and responsibilities as a citizen.

When a Law Might Instead Be a Giant Unfunded Mandate

Rich Miller’s interview with Governor JB Pritzker led to Dail having a bit of a chinwag with Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker. This concerned the state’s Domestic Violence Order of Protection. When such an order is obtained and executed, according to Sheriff Booker, the police secure any weaponry the abusive household member may own. This is a matter of course. There isn’t any perceived need for the provisions of Karina’s Law. Did Miller get Gov Pritzker to hold forth on behalf of a piece of redundant legislation? Sure seems like that’s what occurred. Dail was also taken aback by Gov Pritzker’s seeming unconcern for the safety of cops who may acting on an order of protection where the abuser’s status as, say, a gun-owner isn’t known; and they may be acting so at their own peril. McGreevy points out Pritzker’s longstanding default position on gun safety, with the understanding that Pritzker’s concern for police officers should be taken as read — until he gives his constituents ample reason to believe otherwise, naturally.

America Is Not a Democracy, It Is a Republic

Kathleen McCarthy felt it imperative to remind her fellow citizens that the United States of America is a constitutional republic, not a democracy; and it’s best that citizens come to terms with that distinction as soon as possible.

Reader Events Calendar: Your Key to Quad Cities’ Culture

Keep current with what’s going on in the QC with our calendar.