A key Illinois senator says legislation allowing public gun possession will carve out an exception for Chicago.
Republican Sen. Tim Bivins says the measure he and Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul negotiated would allow Cook County authorities to deny a concealed carry permit even if an applicant passes the required background checks.
The former county sheriff from Dixon says the rest of the state would be governed by a so-called "shall issue" law -- anyone meeting requirements would get a carry permit.
Bivins says the bill is being written. He says it's not ideal but gun-rights advocates have to compromise.
A federal court has ordered Illinois to adopt a concealed carry law by June 9.
A statewide "shall issue" bill failed Thursday in the House.
