Illinois House Republican lawmakers gathered at the Capitol today to show their support for law-abiding gun owners. State Representatives Charlie Meier (Okawville), Regan Deering (Decatur), and Patrick Windhorst (Metropolis) spoke on the importance of preserving their Constitutional Right to Bear Arms.

State Representative and House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) serves as the House Republican ranking member on the House Judiciary Criminal Law and Gun Violence Prevention Committees. The 117th District State Representative says policies passed by Illinois Democrats have harmed the rights of law-abiding citizens to practice their Constitutional Rights.

In a move to uphold Illinoisans’ Second Amendment rights, State Representative John M. Cabello today announced the filing of House Bill 4328 (HB4328). This bill would fully repeal the Illinois Assault Weapons Ban which went into effect on January 1, 2024 – despite the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) having yet to approve the rules that implement the ban.

State Representative Barbara Wheeler is working in conjunction with the Illinois State Rifle Association on legislation to curtail the presence of so-called “bump-fire stocks” in Illinois. House Bill 4120 prevents the future sale and possession of the device used during the deadly Las Vegas shooting which left 59 people dead.

“I’m the first person to stand-up for our essential right as Americans to keep and bear arms, whether for personal protection, hunting or another sporting purpose,” said Wheeler. “However, the horrific events in Las Vegas showed quite clearly the devastation that can be caused by a rifle attachment like a bump-fire stock in the hands of an ill person. After speaking with firearm experts and the Illinois State Rifle Association, we all agreed that bump-fire stocks have no practical protection or sporting use and should be taken off the market.” Read more.

In an effort to improve public safety and reduce incidences of gun violence in Illinois, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has filed legislation that will help keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who have been deemed a public safety threat, have made threats of terrorism, or have been charged with an act of terrorism. The bill was unveiled at a press conference held at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on Thursday.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) recently announced the Agency will begin accepting on-line Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) applications beginning Monday, March 16, 2015, to provide a more streamlined and modernized application process.

The ISP will no longer accept the current FOID paper applications however, like the Concealed Carry License (CCL), the new FOID application will be available through the Department's website or through the paper alternative call center method for those individuals who do not have computer access.

Budget - Debt Rating
Bloomberg News analysis shows Illinois’ 10-year bonds trading at below BBB level. The actual level of safety and security perceived by global debt markets is set by the bond marketplace, with guidance from the three credit rating services (Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings). However, after the 2008 financial panic, many investors have become skeptical of credit rating services. A Bloomberg News analysis, published on Thursday, August 7, indicates that this skepticism may be weighing down the prices of Illinois bonds.

Rep. Dennis Reboletti talks to Courtney Gousman about Concealed Carry in a recent news segment on CBS 2.

Illinois State Police announced on February 28 that 5,000 Concealed Carry License (CCL) applications had been approved and were ready to be printed and mailed.  The department will begin mailing the licenses and will continue to issue licenses as they are approved.  Concealed Carry Licenses will be printed and mailed on a daily basis. 

“This collaborative process offers the multiple layers of scrutiny envisioned by the legislature, and we believe that the law enforcement objections provide for enhanced public safety,” State Police Colonel Marc Maton said in a press release issued by the department.

Illinois' first concealed carry gun licenses — about 5,000 of them — are being printed and mailed today, Illinois State Police officials said in a morning press conference.

Officials said they have received more than 50,000 applications. Those being mailed today were early approvals, mostly for those who submitted fingerprints along with their application.

So far, 300 applications have been denied. Another 800 were opposed by law enforcement officials and are still under review. Dahleen Glanton has the rest of the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Graduated Income Tax  
House GOP: Graduated Tax Threat to Illinois Jobs, Families.  On Monday, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and members of the Illinois House Republican caucus announced their unanimous opposition to the graduated income tax proposal introduced by legislative Democrats. The plan, currently filed as HJRCA 33, would replace the state’s current flat tax with a graduated income tax system, with rates to be determined by the General Assembly.

“There is a movement in Springfield by the majority party to move Illinois from a flat income tax to a graduated tax,” said Durkin. “The same party responsible for years of overspending, over taxing and a mountain of debt wants to move to a graduated tax for one reason and one reason only – to raise taxes and spend more money.”

Budget – Medicaid
Big Medicaid changes could save money for Illinois taxpayers, but must be closely watched.  The State of Illinois is pursuing a comprehensive restructuring of the way services are delivered to the 2.8 million enrollees who receive medical coverage through the Illinois Medicaid program. This restructuring, which would be directed through the federal ‘1115 Waiver’ process, would allow the use of innovative service delivery models not currently standard under federal Medicaid guidelines. On Wednesday, the House Human Services and Appropriations – Human Services Committees held a joint hearing, the second in a series of such meetings, to receive testimony from administration officials and stake holders regarding the proposed waiver.

Concealed Carry
State Police report to General Assembly on concealed carry implementation.  As of Tuesday, January 14, an estimated 20,000 e-applications for concealed carry permits had proceeded to the payment stage.  State Police senior staff told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), a key General Assembly oversight panel, that new applications were proceeding toward the approval stage at a rate of approximately 1,000 applications each working day.  This marked continued progress towards providing concealed carry permits for an estimated 400,000 Illinois residents who qualify for them. Applicants are required to submit identification information, and proof of firearms training, to move to the permit stage of the process.  The State Police told JCAR that they hope to start releasing the first wave of concealed carry permits in early March.

Concealed carry applications are online

On January 5, 2014, Illinois residents began applying for concealed carry permits. Below is Q&A to help you understand where concealed weapons can be carried and where they are prohibited.

Am I permitted to carry a concealed firearm while going out to dinner?
Yes and No. Concealed carry is prohibited at restaurants that make more than 50% of their gross income from the sale of alcohol. These restaurant owners will need to make it clear to patrons that concealed carry is prohibited in their establishments.

Additionally, all other private businesses including restaurants can decide whether to allow concealed carry.

A federal judge on Monday stripped away a key element of Chicago's gun ordinance, ruling that it is unconstitutional to prohibit licensed gun stores from operating in the city.

U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang found that the city failed to convince him that banning the sale of guns by licensed dealers was necessary to reduce gun violence.

The ruling also would make it legal for individuals to transfer ownership of a firearm as a gift or through a private sale as long as the recipient was at least 18 and had a firearm owner's identification card. Chicago Tribune reporters Dahleen Glanton and Jason Meisner tell the story.

Illinois residents can officially apply online for a license to carry a concealed firearm as of Sunday, November 5, 2014. 

Applications are being accepted on the Illinois State Police website. 

More resources:

Answers to frequently asked questions about concealed carry in Illinois

Find a state approved concealed carry instructor

Firearms owner identification card

With the application process for concealed weapons beginning this month, business owners who want to keep guns out of their establishments need to follow Illinois State Police guidelines on what signs may be displayed.

A copy of the sign that must be used is posted on the agency's website to be downloaded. It features a red circle and slash over the black silhouette of a handgun with the phrase "Pursuant to 430 ILCS 66/65" in the bottom right corner.

"If the sign does not meet statutory specifications, it would not be valid, and it could potentially be problematic to maintain criminal charges" against violators, State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.   Matthew Walberg has the story in the Chicago Tribune.

Download sign here.

In advance of the Jan. 5 statutory deadline, Illinois State Police (ISP) officials today provided an update on the Concealed Carry License (CCL) program and previewed the CCL application process for the public.

ISP officials were also joined by Vermilion County Sheriff Patrick Hartshorn, President of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police President John Kennedy, House Deputy Majority Leader Frank Mautino, and ISP staff members.  Central Management Services also provided a step by step power point presentation on how to navigate the portal and obtain a Digital ID.

Since early July, the ISP has been providing the public with regular updates on the CCL process including FAQs, firearms instructor training requirements, firearms instructor databases, approved curricula, signage requirements, training, and the ability to apply for a Digital ID and submit electronic fingerprints.  A new CCL unit has been created and is currently operating out of the ISP central headquarters building in Springfield.

“Today’s preview of the CCL application should provide the public with a glimpse into the application process a week before the application is posted on line,” said ISP Colonel Marc Maton, who has been overseeing the project.  “We have built a system from the ground up and our dedicated team has met every deadline and milestone under the statutory requirements,” Maton stressed.

Officials also used the opportunity to remind the public about the new Gun Safety and Responsibility Act (HB1189).  Governor Pat Quinn signed the law to improve gun safety and to strengthen the Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) program.

The Gun Safety and Responsibility Act is a law which requires citizens engaged in the sale of a firearm to contact the Illinois State Police for verification the purchaser's FOID card number.  The law also requires the reporting of lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement.

Effective Jan. 1, all private firearm transactions in Illinois must be approved by the Illinois State Police.  Any non-federally licensed firearm dealer who desires to transfer or sell a firearm will be required to contact the Illinois State Police and provide the purchaser’s Firearm Owners Identification Card number.  The Illinois State Police will determine the validity of the FOID Card and Issue an approval number which will be valid for 30 days from the date of issue.  The seller is permitted to transfer the firearm to the purchaser after obtaining the approval number and waiting 24 hours for a rifle/shotgun or 72 hours for a pistol.

A private firearm transaction approval number can be requested 24/7 from the Illinois State Police preferably through the ISP website at http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/foidp2p.cfm, or by calling 217 524-3847 during normal business hours.

The Department’s Concealed Carry website address can be accessed at http://www.isp.state.il.us/.  The ISP will continue to regularly update its Concealed Carry FAQ’s on the website with information regarding the Illinois Concealed Carry program.

Concealed Carry
New Illinois State Police website for concealed carry pre-applicants and applicants.  Pre-applicants for a firearms concealed carry license (CCL) are invited to visit a new website, https://ccl4illinois.com/ccw/public/home.aspx, to establish their digital password ID and learn about the segments of their application they will be requested to fill out, including a strong suggestion that they submit fingerprints to speed up their background check.  The CCL applications themselves will become available to the general public no later than Sunday, January 5, 2014.  The State Police requests that e-applicants pay $150 with their applications, in addition to the costs to the applicant for pre-licensure training and fingerprinting services.

Illinois State Police have opened the Firearm Concealed Carry application process to Certified Firearms Instructors, giving them access to apply for their Concealed Carry License starting today, Wednesday, December 18, 2013, in advance of the January 5, 2014, deadline.

The statute requires that Certified Instructors be eligible for a Concealed Carry License. Early access to the application process will provide applicants with an opportunity to obtain their license and test the application system.  With nearly 2,000 Certified Firearms Instructors currently listed on the ISP Concealed Carry website, officials anticipate that instructor applications will serve as a test for workload capacities.  Officials see this as a necessary step to ensure the integrity of a system which is expected to process more than 400,000 applications during the first year.

Pensions – Illinois credit rating
Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s issue positive statements about Illinois pension progress.  After pension reform bill SB 1 was signed into law on Thursday, December 5, global credit-rating firm Moody’s labeled the move a “credit positive.”  Moody’s currently ranks Illinois’ general-obligation (G.O.) debt as A3 with a negative outlook, the lowest ranking among the 50 states, and this rating did not change this week.   The statement by the New York-based debt watchdog described itself as awaiting independent actuarial confirmation of the proclaimed $160 billion in savings “clawed back” from pledged future pension payments by the controversial measure.   The statement was issued on Friday, December 6.