Illinois concealed carry is governed by the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, Public Act 98-63, codified at 430 ILCS 66, which became state law on July 9,...
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Illinois Concealed Carry Laws Overview
Illinois Concealed Carry Laws Overview
Governing Law
Illinois concealed carry is governed by the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, Public Act 98-63, codified at 430 ILCS 66, which became state law on July 9, 2013. The Illinois State Police (ISP) Firearms Services Bureau administers the Concealed Carry Licensing (CCL) program.
Permit System
Illinois is a shall-issue state that requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) to carry a concealed firearm. The state does not allow permitless (constitutional) carry.
Key Features
Concealed carry only - Open carry is not permitted. A handgun must be completely or mostly concealed from public view.
FOID Card required - Illinois residents must possess a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card to be eligible for a CCL. The CCL is not a replacement for the FOID card.
Issuing authority: Illinois State Police, Firearms Services Bureau
FOID Card Requirement
Under the Firearm Owner's Identification Card Act (430 ILCS 65), created in 1968, any Illinois resident who acquires or possesses firearms, firearm ammunition, tasers, or stun guns must possess a valid FOID card, unless specifically exempted by statute.
FOID Fee: $10.00 (plus ePay service fee)
FOID Validity: 10 years, subject to auto-renewal in certain circumstances
Active military members are exempt from the FOID application fee under 430 ILCS 65/5(a)
Beginning January 1, 2023, FOID cards may be automatically renewed for individuals who have submitted fingerprints to ISP and receive a FTIP approval
CCL Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an Illinois Concealed Carry License, an applicant must:
Be at least 21 years of age
Have a currently valid FOID card (Illinois residents)
Not be prohibited under federal law from possessing or receiving a firearm
Not have been convicted or found guilty of:
A misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence within the last 5 years
Two or more DUI violations within the last 5 years
Not be the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for a disqualifying offense
Not have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the last 5 years
Have completed 16 hours of firearms training, including classroom and range instruction
Fees
Item
Cost
CCL - Illinois Resident
$150 (non-refundable per 430 ILCS 66/60)
CCL - Out-of-State Resident
$300 (non-refundable)
CCL Replacement (lost/stolen/damaged/name or address change)
$75
ePay Service Fee
2.25% or minimum $1.00 for credit/debit cards
Training Requirements
Applicants must complete a 16-hour firearms training course that covers, at minimum:
Firearms Safety - minimum 1 hour
Basic Principles of Marksmanship - minimum 1 hour
Care, Cleaning, Loading and Unloading of a Concealable Firearm - minimum 1 hour
Applicable State and Federal Laws (ownership, storage, carry, transportation, and interaction with law enforcement) - minimum 2 hours
Weapons Handling - minimum 1 range hour
Live-Fire Qualification
Minimum of 30 rounds fired at a B-27 silhouette target
10 rounds from 5 yards, 10 rounds from 7 yards, 10 rounds from 10 yards
Hits must impact within the black portion of the silhouette
Training Credit
Active, retired, and honorably discharged members of the U.S. Armed Forces receive credit for 8 hours of the 16-hour requirement
Applicants who completed training approved by ISP and recognized under another state's laws may receive up to 8 hours of credit
CCL renewal requires a 3-hour refresher training course
Application Processing Times
With electronic fingerprints: ISP issues or denies the CCL within 90 days of receiving a completed application
Without fingerprints: ISP is granted an additional 30 days (up to 120 days total) for a manual background check
License Validity
A newly issued CCL is valid for 5 years
Illinois now issues combination (Combo) FOID/CCL cards with a CCL indicator ("CCL: Yes" or "CCL: No") and no printed expiration date
An eCard is available through the ISP Firearms Services Bureau website for digital display
Out-of-State Residents
Out-of-state residents may obtain an Illinois CCL only if they reside in a state with laws substantially similar to Illinois requirements. Currently, the only states deemed substantially similar are:
Arkansas
Idaho
Mississippi
Nevada
Texas
Virginia
Exemptions from CCL Requirement
The following individuals are exempt from the CCL requirement:
Current peace officers
Retired police officers eligible under a federally approved retired officer concealed carry program (e.g., the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry (IROCC) Program)
Parking Lot Exception
CCL holders prohibited from carrying into a prohibited location may:
Carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle into the parking area
Store a firearm or ammunition concealed in a case within a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view
Carry a concealed firearm in the immediate area surrounding the vehicle only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm from the vehicle's trunk
This exception does not apply to areas where firearms are prohibited under federal law or property regulated by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Places of Worship
A CCL holder may not carry a concealed firearm at a place of worship if there is a pre-school, after-school program, or faith-based school on the premises, regardless of authorization from religious leaders. If no such programs exist on the premises, carry is permitted unless the place of worship has posted signage prohibiting concealed firearms.
Revocation and Compliance
Under 430 ILCS 66/70(g), within 48 hours of receiving notification of CCL revocation, the holder must:
Surrender the CCL to local law enforcement
If the CCL has been lost, surrendered, or destroyed, complete a CCL Lost/Destroyed/Stolen Affidavit
Reporting Requirements
Lost or stolen CCL: Must notify ISP within 10 days of discovery
Lost or stolen firearms: Must report to local law enforcement within 48 hours of discovery, including date, last known location, caliber, make, model, serial number, and circumstances
Failure to report loss or theft of a firearm two or more times may result in FOID revocation (effective January 1, 2026 for FOID eligibility purposes)
Gun Storage Requirements
Illinois law requires firearms to be placed in a securely locked box or container when children under 18, persons prohibited from having firearms, or persons at risk of harming themselves or others are present.
Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA)
Illinois enacted the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), which regulates assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and other devices. Endorsement affidavits may be required for certain items listed under the Act.
Contact Information
Firearms Services Bureau: 801 South Seventh Suite 400M, Springfield, IL 62703
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