Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed new legislation that will impact FOID users and change the way that state firearms are handled.  The FOID Modernization bill allows police to combine FOID and the Conceal Carry License together. It also grants card holders who submit fingerprints an opportunity to have automatic renewal. The Governor says that there are plenty of safety provisions as well including universal background checks on all gun sales, public and private in Illinois starting in 2024. 

ISP Director Brendan Kelly says that the opportunity to have FOID and Conceal Carry Licenses done together is a win/win—for both the customer and the state.

Not everyone was on board with the new FOID Modernization bill. State Senator Darren Bailey, who is also running for governor, says that the bill doesn’t offer any real merit and is more for show than actual substance. Bailey said, "This bill does nothing to curb gun violence and crime across our state, instead it prompts innocent people to undergo a redundant process, costing state resources and card holders more money. This bill is also a gateway for mandatory fingerprinting and a registry on our guns. It hurts small businesses and private dealers by placing new taxes and liability during the private transfer process.”