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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Illinois lawmaker says it's up to State Police to fix FOID problems

A recent audit says Illinois' gun owner registration program creates public safety issues.  But Republican Representative Jim Durkin doesn't expect the legislature to intervene anytime soon. 

The audit found that the mentally ill could possibly obtain FOID cards to purchase firearms and ammunition. Durkin tells WNIJ one of the state's priorities is to make sure that guns are not getting into the hands of the wrong people.  But he doesn't think the General Assembly is in a position to tweak the law. 

Durkin says lawmakers are swamped with serious budget issues right now.  He also says he has confidence in the State Police, which oversees the program, to correct any problems.  But that doesn't mean Durkin wouldn't be willing to revisit the issue in the future.

"If the Illinois State Police believes they cannot meet the obligations under the current FOID Act, then I think there should be some discussion of whether or not they should be responsible."

A state police official says a task force will try to bolster communication between the agency and county circuit clerks when it comes to sharing names of people who would not be eligible for a FOID card.