The Firearm Concealed Carry Act, codified at 430 ILCS 66, is Illinois's governing statute for the lawful carrying of concealed firearms. Enacted in 2013, the Act established a shall-issue Concealed Carry License (CCL) system administered by the Illinois State Police (ISP), making Illinois the last state in the nation to adopt a concealed carry framework.[1] The Act covers eligibility requirements, training mandates, prohibited locations, and the obligations of CCL holders throughout the state.
Background and Enactment
The Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66) was enacted in 2013 through Public Act 98-63, making Illinois the last state in the nation to adopt a concealed carry licensing system.[1] The law was passed after the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Moore v. Madigan (2012) that Illinois's blanket prohibition on carrying firearms in public was unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The legislature had 180 days to craft a new regulatory framework, resulting in this comprehensive licensing statute.
Shall-Issue Framework
Illinois operates under a shall-issue model, meaning the Illinois State Police (ISP) must issue a Concealed Carry License (CCL) to any applicant who meets all statutory qualifications.[2] The ISP cannot deny a license based on discretionary judgment alone. However, law enforcement agencies may file objections to specific applications, which are then reviewed by the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board -- an independent body that determines whether the objection is sustained or the license should be issued.[1]
Core Provisions
The Act permits a CCL holder to carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm -- fully or partially concealed -- on or about their person and within a vehicle.[3] The license is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, and complete 16 hours of approved firearms training.[2]
Application and Fees
Applications are submitted electronically through the ISP Firearms Services Bureau portal. The application fee is $150 for Illinois residents and $300 for non-residents.[2] The ISP has 90 days to process a CCL application submitted with electronic fingerprints, or 120 days for applications without fingerprints. In practice, the ISP has experienced significant processing backlogs, and actual wait times may be substantially longer than these statutory deadlines. Renewal requires a 3-hour refresher course, which may be completed up to six months before the renewal application is submitted.[1]
Key Regulatory Features
The Act establishes more than 20 categories of prohibited locations where concealed carry is not permitted, a parking area exception allowing licensees to store firearms in locked vehicles at most restricted locations, and a duty-to-disclose requirement when asked by law enforcement.[4] It also created the framework for non-resident licenses, available to residents of states with substantially similar firearms laws.[3]
Relationship to Other Firearms Laws
The Concealed Carry Act works in conjunction with the FOID Act (430 ILCS 65), which remains the foundational licensing requirement for all firearm possession in Illinois.[5] A valid FOID card is a prerequisite for a CCL. Violations of the Act's provisions may result in criminal charges under 720 ILCS 5/24-1 (Unlawful Use of Weapons) or 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6 (Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon), depending on the nature and severity of the violation.[6]
See also: How to Apply for an Illinois Concealed Carry License
See also: 430 ILCS 66/65: Prohibited Locations for Concealed Carry