An Illinois lawmaker wants to increase penalties for gun owners who illegally carry firearms into schools.
State Rep. Deborah Conroy is introducing a proposal that would make carrying guns into Illinois schools a felony. That includes pre-schools up to colleges and universities. Currently, first and second-time offenders are charged with a misdemeanor.
Another measure introduced by the Democrat from Villa Park increases fines for carrying guns into prohibited places from $150 to $500. Fines currently go to a state mental health fund.
Conroy says this proposal is about providing more money to cover mental health services. She says the current amount is too low.
The bill is in a House committee with other proposals changing the concealed carry law passed last year.
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