SPRINGFIELD, Ill. � State lawmakers could debate a new proposal this month that would “modernize� FOID cards. In fact, Illinois State Police hope they can create an electronic card. Their bill could also consolidate the FOID and concealed carry license into the same item.
Sponsors want to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a clear and present danger to others. But, they also want to address that without causing more headaches for responsible gun owners.
“I tell people that other than unemployment issues, FOID issues are the biggest calls I get in my office,� said Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “The director has really done, I think, a magnificent job to get the backlog down.�
Now, lawmakers want to help State Police improve the system constantly challenged with high demand from gun owners. The measure could codify an online portal ISP already created for federal, state, and local law enforcement to report people who have revoked or suspended FOID cards.
Police would be able to document why someone’s FOID card was revoked and if they ever surrendered the card.
“That helps law enforcement, both the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement, be able to triage and focus on the individuals who are an actual threat,� said ISP Director Brendan Kelly.
Automatic FOID renewals
He also explained this plan could bring the FOID system into the 21st century, “to ensure we make it hard for the bad guys and simple and safe for the good guys.�
“It would allow for the fingerprinting of the individuals who choose to do so,� said Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville). “They’d have automatic renewal of the FOID cards if you have concealed carry or do the voluntary fingerprinting.�
While many Republicans oppose FOID cards, this proposal has started to gain bipartisan support.
Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) says State Police have been severely handicapped with the FOID system for years. He feels it’s time to stop complaining about the issue and create a solution.
“This is an opportunity for us, for the General Assembly, to do something positive to help clear the backlog, to help make it easier and to make the process fairer for the citizens of Illinois,� Caulkins explained.
Revenue for FOID enforcement
This legislation would also create a State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund. Local law enforcement helping in the effort would have the ability to apply for grants from the new fund.
“We’d like to shift part of the focus of revenue to actual enforcement against the greatest threats and to systems that continuously mar the validity of the FOID cardholder,� Kelly said.
He also stressed this proposal wouldn’t require any increase in funds from taxpayers. The cost for FOID cards would stay at $10.
The House Judiciary-Criminal Committee could discuss the of this bill as soon as next week. Meanwhile, awaits a hearing in the Senate Executive Committee.
A competing proposal is also working through both chambers of the General Assembly. The Illinois Gun Violence Prevention PAC is pushing for a plan that would require gun owners to provide their fingerprints when purchasing a gun. That bill also calls for increased background checks. Advocates hope it could lead to a 40% decrease in gun violence in Illinois.
