On July 9, 2013, Public Act 98-63, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66), became state law. This law requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License...
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Illinois Concealed Carry Laws
Illinois Concealed Carry Laws
Legal Authority
On July 9, 2013, Public Act 98-63, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66), became state law. This law requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois.
Issuing Authority
The Illinois State Police (ISP) is the issuing authority for concealed carry licenses in Illinois (430 ILCS 66/10).
Who Needs a CCL?
Everyone who wants to carry a concealed firearm on his or her person in Illinois is required to have an Illinois Concealed Carry License, except:
Current peace officers
Retired police officers eligible under a federally approved retired officer concealed carry program, such as the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry (IROCC) Program
Retired officers may be eligible to carry under either the IROCC Program or the Firearm Concealed Carry Act; however, the CCL may be more restrictive.
Issuance Requirements (430 ILCS 66/10)
The Illinois State Police shall issue a license to carry a concealed firearm to an applicant who:
Meets the qualifications of Section 25 of the Act
Has provided the application and documentation required in Section 30 of the Act
Has submitted the requisite fees
Does not pose a danger to himself, herself, or others, or a threat to public safety as determined by the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board in accordance with Section 20
License Validity and Privileges (430 ILCS 66/10(c))
A license is:
Valid throughout the State of Illinois
Valid for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance
A license permits the licensee to:
Carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm, fully concealed or partially concealed, on or about his or her person
Keep or carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm on or about his or her person within a vehicle
Application Processing
Applications are submitted electronically through the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal
A completed application must be acted upon (issued or denied) within 90 days of receipt
The ISP shall notify the applicant electronically to confirm if all required information and materials have been received
If an application submitted electronically is missing information or materials, the ISP shall notify the applicant electronically
Possession and Disclosure Requirements
Carrying the License (430 ILCS 66/10(g))
A licensee shall possess a license at all times while carrying a concealed firearm, except:
When carrying or possessing a concealed firearm on his or her own land, in his or her abode, legal dwelling, or fixed place of business, or on the land or in the legal dwelling of another person as an invitee with that person's permission
When authorized to carry a firearm under Section 24-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012 (except subsection (a-5))
When the handgun is broken down in a non-functioning state, is not immediately accessible, or is unloaded and enclosed in a case
Duty to Disclose During Law Enforcement Contact (430 ILCS 66/10(h))
If a law enforcement officer initiates an investigative stop (including a traffic stop):
Upon request of the officer, the licensee shall disclose that he or she is in possession of a concealed firearm, or present the license upon request
Upon request, the licensee shall identify the location of the concealed firearm
Upon request, the licensee shall permit the officer to safely secure the firearm for the duration of the investigative stop
During a traffic stop, any passenger who is a licensee or qualified non-resident must also comply with these requirements
Contact with Law Enforcement or Emergency Services (430 ILCS 66/10(h-1))
Law enforcement or emergency services personnel may secure the firearm or direct that it be secured during the contact if deemed necessary for safety
The licensee shall submit to the order to secure the firearm
The firearm shall be returned before releasing the licensee from the scene, provided the licensee is not a threat and is physically and mentally capable of possessing the firearm
If the licensee is transported for treatment, the firearm shall be turned over to a peace officer who shall provide a receipt including the make, model, caliber, and serial number
Out-of-State Residents
Out-of-state residents may obtain an Illinois CCL, but only residents of states or territories with laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying that are substantially similar to Illinois requirements are eligible.
As of the most recent ISP determination, the states considered substantially similar are:
Arkansas
Idaho
Mississippi
Nevada
Texas
Virginia
Reciprocity
Illinois does not have broad reciprocity with other states. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's reciprocity summary, Illinois is listed among states that do not recognize Pennsylvania concealed carry licenses, and Pennsylvania residents cannot carry in Illinois without a separate Illinois-issued CCL. Non-residents carrying under subsection (e) of Section 40 of the Act must present evidence of qualification.
Prohibited Areas
All state buildings are prohibited areas and must be posted as such.
Revocation (430 ILCS 66/70(g))
If a CCL is revoked (which occurs upon revocation of the FOID Card), the licensee must within 48 hours of receiving notification:
Surrender the CCL to the local law enforcement agency where the licensee resides
If the CCL has been lost, surrendered, or otherwise destroyed, complete a CCL Lost/Destroyed/Stolen Affidavit
Law Enforcement Objection Period
Law enforcement agencies may file objections against concealed carry applicants during a 30-day objection period through the ISP Law Enforcement Portal.
ISP Database (430 ILCS 66/10(i)-(k))
The ISP maintains a database of license applicants and licensees
The database is available to all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, State's Attorneys, the Attorney General, and authorized court personnel
Within 10 days of receipt of a completed application, the ISP enters relevant applicant information into the law enforcement-accessible database
The ISP continuously monitors relevant state and federal databases for firearms prohibitors and correlates those records with CCL holders
Medical Marijuana and CCL
Possessing a Medical Marijuana License, being a caregiver under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, or otherwise using cannabis consistent with Illinois law will not result in FOID card or CCL revocation or application denial under state law. However, under federal law (Gun Control Act of 1968, specifically 18 U.S.C. ยง922), restrictions prohibit acquiring or possessing firearms and firearms ammunition. These federal restrictions remain in effect until the revocation or relinquishment of the medical cannabis card or until one year after last cannabis use, whichever is later.
N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen (2022).Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022), eliminated "proper cause" / "good cause" discretionary CCW frameworks and required states to apply objective issuance criteria. The decision converted formerly may-issue states to shall-issue. States that were already shall-issue or permitless before Bruen experience the case primarily through its broader historical-tradition test for evaluating subsequent Second Amendment claims.
Last verified:2026-05-25
This page covers one part of our Illinois concealed carry guide.
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