Voters in Springfield, Missouri will get the say on the illegal alien issue. Following a lengthy discussion Tuesday, the Springfield City council decided to send the E-Verify issue to a ballot vote. At first, the council voted 4-4 on the bill, which would've prohibited any business entity licensed by the city from knowingly recruiting, hiring for employment, or continuing to employ any person who is an illegal alien The issue was first brought to the council’s attention by the Ozarks Minutemen. The Minutemen wants to impose penalties on businesses that hire illegal immigrants. A program called E-Verify would be used to check employment eligibility.

The city’s concern deals with a clause that  fines businesses. Some city leaders say it's illegal. Following the tie vote on the initial issue, the council was left with two options…pass the ordinance to later amend it, or hand it over to voters. They opted for the latter and the issue will now be on a February or March ballot. If approved by voters, the City would still have to wait half a year to make changes. Council members say it's now up to the people to educate themselves on the ordinance and vote.