FOID Revocation and Suspension

Sections 8, 8.2 and 8.3 of the FOID Act govern revocation and suspension when a cardholder becomes disqualified. Revocation and suspension require surrender of the FOID card and completion of a Firearm Disposition Record. After revocation notice, the cardholder must place firearms in the location or with the person reported in that record.^[1]

Grounds for Revocation

The ISP has authority to revoke and seize a FOID card if it finds that the holder meets a disqualifying condition listed in 430 ILCS 65/8. Common grounds for revocation include:

• Felony conviction
• Conviction of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction
• Issuance of an order of protection against the cardholder
• Being a mental health facility patient within the past 5 years, or an earlier patient without the required certification, excluding inpatient treatment solely for an alcohol abuse disorder
• Adjudication as a mental defective
• A mental condition that poses a clear and present danger to the cardholder, any other person or the community
• Narcotics addiction
• Conviction of assault or battery within the past 5 years in which a firearm was used or possessed

The ISP conducts ongoing monitoring of criminal history and mental health databases and may initiate revocation proceedings at any time a disqualifying event is reported.^[2]

Suspension vs. Revocation

A FOID card may be suspended for the duration of a disqualification that is not a permanent ground for revocation, including a protective order expected to last less than one year. During suspension, the cardholder's firearms privileges are temporarily frozen. For such a protective order, the ISP must reinstate the card when the suspension ends if no other grounds for denial or revocation exist. Revocation is permanent for as long as the disqualifying condition exists, though the cardholder may seek relief through the administrative or judicial appeal process.^[1]

Notification and Surrender Requirements

When a FOID card is revoked, the ISP sends written notice to the cardholder. Upon receipt of the revocation notice, the cardholder must:

• Surrender the FOID card within 48 hours to the local law enforcement agency where the person resides or to the Illinois State Police
• Identify, on the Firearm Disposition Record within the same 48 hours, where each firearm will be kept and, if transferred to another person, the name, address and FOID card number of the transferee
• Complete and return a Firearm Disposition Record to the ISP, documenting the disposition of each firearm

Failure to comply with these surrender requirements is a separate criminal offense.^[1]

Law Enforcement Follow-Up

The ISP notifies the local law enforcement agency of a FOID card revocation. If a revoked cardholder fails to comply with Section 9.5, local law enforcement may petition the circuit court for a warrant to search for and seize the FOID card and firearms. Under Karina's Law, signed on February 10, 2025 and effective May 11, 2025, a court issuing an order of protection under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act must issue a firearm search warrant when the statutory threat and probable-cause requirements are met and the petitioner seeks that relief. The 96-hour period after receipt applies when the court finds a credible report of domestic violence to local law enforcement within the previous 90 days. Otherwise, law enforcement must evaluate the warrant within 48 hours of receipt and seek any corrections, additions or negation. A correction starts a 96-hour execution period, and the court may grant an extension of up to 96 hours.^[3]

Appeal Process

A person whose FOID card has been revoked may, for most revocation grounds and after complying with the surrender and disposition requirements, appeal to the FOID Card Review Board under 430 ILCS 65/10. Public Act 102-237 took effect January 1, 2022, and Board appeals began January 1, 2023. Revocations based on certain enumerated serious offenses are reviewed directly by the circuit court instead. If the Board denies relief, the cardholder may petition for judicial review in circuit court. The revocation remains in effect during an appeal, and the person may not possess firearms or ammunition. DOJ's final rule implementing the federal firearms-disability relief process became effective September 21, 2026. DOJ's application page lists September 25, 2026 for invited candidates and November 4, 2026 for the public, when the first 5,000 candidates can apply. Relief from a federal prohibition does not extend to an independent Illinois prohibition. Read the final rule.^[1]