SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois lawmakers will take up carrying concealed firearms with a wide open debate on the House floor Tuesday.
House Speaker Michael Madigan has set up a seldom-used process to allow legislators to submit amendments covering different topics involving the issue.
Lawmakers filed 27 amendments— including whether a law would require the state to issue concealed-carry permits to qualified applicants.
A federal court dismissed the Illinois ban in December and ordered a law be approved by early June.
Political scientist Kent Redfield of the University of Illinois at Springfield says the hearing allows lawmakers to support or oppose certain gun provisions even if they don't agree with the final legislation.
The process sets scheduled times to consider the issue.
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