ISP Processing Delays: FOID and CCL Backlog Updates

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Firearms Services Bureau has faced persistent processing backlogs for Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card applications and Concealed Carry License (CCL) applications. These delays have affected thousands of Illinois residents seeking to exercise their firearms rights and have prompted legislative action, lawsuits, and administrative reforms.^[5]

Statutory Processing Timelines

Under 430 ILCS 65/5, the ISP is required to process new FOID card applications within 30 days of receiving a completed application. Renewal applications must be approved or denied within 60 business days if submitted before the FOID card expires. For Concealed Carry Licenses under 430 ILCS 66/10, the ISP generally has 90 days from receipt of a completed application to issue or deny the license. Under 430 ILCS 66/30, the ISP has 30 additional days if the application is submitted without fingerprints. Referral of an objection to the Review Board tolls the 90-day period during review and until the Board issues its decision.^[2]

In practice, the ISP has frequently exceeded these statutory deadlines. During periods of high application volume, processing times have stretched well beyond the required windows.

Backlog During 2020-2021

In 2020 and 2021, the ISP reported application backlogs and efforts to reduce them following a surge in applications in 2020. If a renewal application is submitted before the FOID card expires, the card remains valid while ISP processes the application unless the person is subject to or becomes subject to revocation under the Act.^[2]

The backlog prompted criticism from both gun rights organizations and individual applicants. Multiple lawsuits were filed challenging the ISP's failure to meet statutory processing deadlines. Legislative proposals emerged to address the systemic issues.

Legislative Responses

Several legislative proposals have sought to address the processing backlog:

• HB 4447 (101st General Assembly): Proposed that the Illinois State Police accept a FOID renewal application submitted within 180 days before the card expires. It was re-referred to the Rules Committee in June 2020 and died when the session ended on January 13, 2021.
• HB 3692 (104th General Assembly). Proposed requiring fingerprints for FOID issuance or renewal unless the applicant previously submitted a full set under the FOID or Concealed Carry Act. It also proposed changes to FOID fees.
• Automatic renewal system: Beginning January 1, 2023, Illinois implemented automatic FOID renewal upon a Firearms Transaction Inquiry Program (FTIP) approval for eligible holders with a full set of fingerprints on file from a FOID or CCL application

The automatic renewal process can replace a manual renewal application when an eligible holder with qualifying fingerprints on file receives an FTIP approval.^[3]

CCL Processing

Concealed Carry License processing has experienced its own challenges. The Auditor General reported that the increase in FOID and CCL applications not processed on time from 2018 to 2019 was due primarily to applications not being started in a timely manner. When a law enforcement agency objects to an application, the application is referred to the Review Board for adjudication, which adds time beyond the standard processing period. The 90-day period is tolled during Review Board review and until the Board issues its decision.^[4]

Current Status

For January, February and March 2026, the ISP reported FOID renewal processing averages of 60.93, 64.96 and 71.78 days, respectively. New FOID application processing averaged 14.81 days in January 2026, 17.86 days in February and 23.02 days in March. CCL processing averaged 46.43 days with fingerprints and 73.14 days without fingerprints in January 2026, 48.83 and 72.47 days in February, and 50.40 and 74.08 days in March, respectively. The ISP reported redesigning online access for mobile applications in December 2020, and automatic FOID renewal for eligible holders with qualifying fingerprints on file began January 1, 2023 upon an FTIP approval.^[3]

In March 2021, Illinois residents and gun rights organizations filed a lawsuit arguing that the ISP violated their Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights by failing to issue CCLs within the statutory processing periods.^[1]