Beginning next week, Illinois State Police are merging FOID and concealed carry license (CCL) application processes.
The modernized online system is intended to provide a user-friendly portal, designed to ease and streamline the processes.
The process, which is expected to be more efficient, will begin Monday, March 16.
The ISP will no longer accept the current FOID paper applications after Monday, March 9.
Like the CCL, the new FOID application will be available through the department’s website and through the paper alternative call center method for those who do not have computer access.
Minors under the age of 21 without an Illinois driver’s license or identification card and Amish applicants will be required to complete an alternative call-in paper application.
Princeton Police Chief Tom Root is in favor of this change.
“The online option is the future,” he said. “It’s a lot easier. There’s no paperwork involved. People can just go online and apply. It’s going to make the flow and paper trail a lot better.”
Root said state police have also discussed combining the FOID and CCL permits, and this change could be a step in that direction.
“If you have a concealed carry card; you have to have a FOID, so why have two permits?” he questioned. “Hopefully they will make that happen, and it won’t be too far down the road.”
Root said this new online process could also encourage more people to apply for a FOID.
“I could see it happen because it’s such an easy process. A lot of people are trying to get away from paper and going electronic,” he said.
How will this work?
The ISP has made changes to the login for both the CCL and FOID applications.
Applicants will no longer be required to obtain a state of Illinois digital ID through the Department of Central Management Services.
This log-in change will allow users greater accessibility to the new application process.
All new applicants and returning CCL applicants will need to register with ISP by providing some key identifiers found on their Illinois driver’s license or ID card, creating a user name and password and answering four security questions.
The CCL website will be unavailable beginning Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m. until Monday, March 16 at 7 a.m. in order to implement the new FOID system.
For the firearm dealers
Federal firearm licensed (FFLs) dealers will also have access to the web-based portal in order to conduct the required background checks of those wishing to purchase a firearm.
All FFLs in the state of Illinois are required to register with the ISP via the website at www.ispffl.com or by calling 217-524-3847 to continue to perform background checks after the launch of the new system.
The old FTIP system will close at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 15, to allow data to be transferred to the new system.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 16, firearm dealers will be able to submit firearm background transactions via the website and follow up on previously requested checks based upon a transaction number.
Firearm dealers using the web-portal during the first 30 days of implementation will be able to submit transactions at no cost. The traditional fee of $2 is being waived. Firearm dealers will also still have the option of using the 800 number dial-up process; however dealers will be charged the $2 processing fee for this option.
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