Blagojevich says the bills will help ensure criminals who use firearms get tough sentences and serve their time.

The first bill takes effect January 1. It says anyone convicted of using a firearm in places such as public housing, public parks or courthouses faces a mandatory prison sentence of between three and seven years. Currently, a judge determines whether the person would get prison or probation.

The second bill takes effect immediately. It limits the good conduct credit time prisoners convicted of aggravated discharge of a firearm can get to four-and-a-half days for each month of their sentence.

They previously got one day's credit for each day of their sentences.