The City of Springfield is considering changes to licensing requirements for some second-hand dealerships.
Ordinary pawnbrokers are already licensed by the State of Illinois and would not be affected by the changes.
But many dealers currently fall outside of the legal definition of pawnshops. The proposed changes were apparently prompted by a rash of copper thefts throughout Sangamon County, with hopes that new licensure would make fencing of stolen materials harder.
The ordinance was held for debate on Tuesday, so that the council could study the potential for collateral damage to businesses.
