McLean County Times

Illinois House and Senate members introduced House Bill 745 and Senate Bill 1165 to help update the Firearms Owner Identification cards system and diminish related application and renewal delays.

"We are working on legislation to modernize FOID cards. This will help clear up the backlog of applications and make the process more fair for the citizens of Illinois," Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) said in a Facebook post. "I have cosponsored bills to eliminate the FOID card. Unfortunately, as long as Democrats remain in the majority nothing changes."

A state police report showed the number of applications has grown by 167% from 166,000 to 460,000 in three years. An additional 60,000 applicants have been reported in the past quarter. The firearms service has been burdened with a heavy workload following an increase of crime and increased fear of safety, documenting 1.2-2.2 million cardholders’ information. The modifications are intended to ease backlogs and delays and merge acquisition system requirements for the FOID card and the Concealed Carry License.

”We can complain about it and the process all of us make phone calls, but this is an opportunity for us in the General Assembly to do something positive to help clear the backlog and to help make it easier and make the process fairer for the citizens of Illinois,” Caulkins said.