Illinois Contracting For Concealed Carry Upgrades

Illinois has awarded contracts for computer upgrades intended to screen out people prohibited from carrying concealed weapons under the state's new gun legislation.

The Springfield Journal-Register reports on two contracts totaling more than $350,000. The Illinois State Police is contracting with a division of Levi, Ray & Shoup of Springfield to automate the entry of names into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

The Department of Human Services is contracting with Levi, Ray & Shoup for help dealing with the new law's mental health reporting requirements.

The law gives the Illinois six months to create an application system and another three months to approve applications.

Earlier this month, Illinois became the last state in the nation to make it legal for people to carry concealed weapons in public.