Illinois Concealed Carry Permit Basics

Overview

Illinois concealed carry licenses are issued by the Illinois State Police (ISP) under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66). Illinois also requires a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (430 ILCS 65) as a prerequisite to firearm possession.

License Validity & Scope

• A concealed carry license is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance (430 ILCS 66/10(c)).
• The license is valid throughout the State of Illinois.
• A license permits the holder to:
  1. Carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm, fully concealed or partially concealed, on or about his or her person.
  2. Keep or carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm on or about his or her person within a vehicle.

Issuance Requirements (430 ILCS 66/10(a))

The Illinois State Police shall issue a concealed carry license to an applicant who:

1. Meets the qualifications of Section 25 of the Act;
2. Has provided the application and documentation required in Section 30 of the Act;
3. Has submitted the requisite fees; and
4. 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.

Processing Timeline

• The ISP must issue or deny a license no later than 90 days after receipt of a completed application (430 ILCS 66/10(e)).
• The ISP will notify the applicant electronically to confirm receipt of all required information and materials.
• If an application submitted electronically is missing information, the ISP will notify the applicant electronically.

FOID Card Prerequisite

Eligibility for a FOID Card

To be eligible for a FOID card, a person must:

• Be 21 years of age, or have a parent or guardian sponsor who is eligible for a FOID card.
• Be a resident of the State of Illinois (in most cases).
• Not be prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law.

FOID Disqualifying Factors

An applicant must not have or be:

• Convicted of a felony
• Addicted to narcotics
• A patient in a mental health facility within the past 5 years
• Intellectually disabled
• An alien who is unlawfully present in the United States
• Subject to an existing order of protection
• Convicted within the past 5 years of battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction, in which a firearm was used or possessed
• Convicted of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction
• An alien admitted under a non-immigrant visa (unless an official representative of a foreign government or who received a waiver from the U.S. Attorney General)
• A minor subject to a petition under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 alleging delinquency for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult
• An adult adjudicated a delinquent minor under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult
• A person whose mental condition poses a clear and present danger to the applicant, any other person, or the community
• Developmentally disabled
• Having renounced their citizenship
• Dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces
• Convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
• Having failed 2 or more times to report a loss or theft of a firearm within 48 hours of discovery (Effective January 1, 2026)

Special Provisions

• Military minors: Minors who are active duty military may have the parental sponsor requirement waived by ISP. They must submit their Orders annually for the FOID card to remain valid.
• Medical marijuana / cannabis users: Under Illinois law, medical marijuana cardholders and recreational cannabis users are eligible for a FOID card. However, under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922), they are subject to restrictions prohibiting acquisition or possession of firearms and ammunition. These federal restrictions remain in effect for one year after revocation or relinquishment of a medical cannabis card.

Carrying Requirements

Possession of License

A licensee must possess the license at all times while carrying a concealed firearm, except (430 ILCS 66/10(g)):

1. When carrying 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 permission;
2. When authorized to carry under Section 24-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012 (except subsection (a-5)); or
3. When the handgun is broken down in a non-functioning state, is not immediately accessible, or is unloaded and enclosed in a case.

Law Enforcement Interactions (430 ILCS 66/10(h))

During an investigative stop (including traffic stops):

• Upon request of the officer, the licensee must disclose that he or she is in possession of a concealed firearm, or present the license.
• Upon request, the licensee must identify the location of the concealed firearm and permit the officer to safely secure the firearm for the duration of the stop.
• Passengers in a vehicle who are licensees must also comply with these requirements during a traffic stop.

Emergency Services Contact (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 must 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 must provide a receipt including make, model, caliber, and serial number.

Denial of Application

The ISP shall deny a license if (430 ILCS 66/10(f)):

• The applicant fails to meet the requirements under the Act; or
• The Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board determines the applicant is ineligible.

The ISP must notify the applicant of the grounds for denial and inform the applicant of the right to appeal through administrative and judicial review.

Database & Monitoring

• The ISP maintains a database of license applicants and licensees, accessible to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, State's Attorneys, the Attorney General, and authorized court personnel (430 ILCS 66/10(i)).
• Within 10 days of receiving a completed application, the ISP enters relevant applicant information into the law enforcement database (430 ILCS 66/10(j)).
• The ISP continuously monitors relevant state and federal databases for firearms prohibitors and correlates those records with concealed carry license holders (430 ILCS 66/10(k)).

Key Statutory References