Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner awarded licenses this week to 70 medical marijuana businesses before out-of-state criminal background checks could be done through an FBI database, as expected under state law.
Rauner issued the licenses Monday after doing a legal review. He was critical of former Gov. Pat Quinn's handling of the license process.
Illinois State Police officials tell The Associated Press the background checks still haven't been done. The FBI needs to approve access to its database.
Rauner spokesman Lance Trover says the governor's office knew the FBI had not yet authorized use of its database. But Trover downplayed any risk. He says the state can take action later if a background check turns up a problem.
Illinois law prohibits certain convicted criminals from participating in the potentially lucrative industry.
