Summary of Illinois Gun Laws

Illinois is a shall-issue state, meaning that Illinois State Police must issue a concealed carry license if the applicant meets certain qualifications. However, Illinois differs from other states in that it still gives law enforcement the right to object to a concealed carry license being issued if they think the applicant is a danger to public safety or himself/herself. If the police do object, then the case is heard by the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board, who will make the final decision as to whether or not a license is issued. The applicant is notified by mail of the Board’s decision. There is an appeal process.

Open carry of a handgun on your person or in a vehicle is illegal.

An Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) is required to concealed carry a firearm in Illinois. Applicants must be 21 or older. The license permits the licensee to carry a loaded or unloaded handgun on or about the person completely or mostly concealed from view of the public or on or about a person within a vehicle. A 16-hour firearms training course conducted by a state-approved instructor is required for all new concealed carry license applications. Non-resident licenses are only available for residents of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia. In terms of reciprocity, Illinois does not honor CCW licenses from any other state.

Illinois law requires residents to have a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) to possess a firearm or ammunition. FOID card holders (without a CCL) can legally carry unloaded firearms that are enclosed in a case.

Firearms Training Requirements in Illinois

A 16-hour firearms training course conducted by a state-approved instructor is required for all new concealed carry license applications. The course consists of: 

  • Firearms safety;
  • Principles of marksmanship;
  • Care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealable firearm;
  • All applicable Illinois and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carrying, and transportation of a firearm;
  • Instruction on the appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed firearm; and
  • Proof of certification by a certified instructor that the applicant passed a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:
    • A minimum of 30 rounds; and
    • 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards, 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards, and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a target approved by DSP.

Members of the military and persons who have completed a firearms training course in another state that has been approved by Illinois can obtain a credit of 8 hours of the required 16-hour course.

A 3-hour training course firearms training course conducted by a state-approved instructor is required for all concealed carry license renewals.

Illinois Concealed Carry License Application Process

How to Apply for a Illinois Concealed Carry License

Based on the passage of HB 562 (2021), the following process will be implemented as of January 1, 2022.The Illinois State Police will create a combined FOID and CCL, offering cardholders the ability to apply for renewal 6 months before the expiration date, and will update FOID and CCL renewal dates to be the same for one cardholder.FOID card applicants will not be required to submit fingerprints, but if they do, or they share with the Illinois State Police the fingerprints they filed to receive their concealed carry license, they will be eligible for automatic renewal without a renewal fee, provided they purchased a gun sometime within the 10-year period between renewals and passed the ISP background check in the process. However, it is not known when this process will be implemented. Therefore, the following steps to apply for a permit have not yet been updated.

STEP 1:Apply for a FOID. Complete the online application for a FOID. Go to the Illinois State Police website and get a user ID and password. You will need the following:A Valid Driver’s License or State Identification card.A head and shoulder electronic photograph taken within the last 30 days.$10.00 payable with a credit card or electronic check.You will be notified by email if your FOID application has been approved.
STEP 2:Complete your firearms training course provided by an ISP-approved instructor.
STEP 3:Once you have applied for and/or received your FOID card, complete the online application for a CCL. There are also options for submitting paper applications as well as a phone-in method (217-782-7980). The following documents are required:A valid Illinois driver’s license or state IDAn Illinois State Police user ID and passwordAn electronic copy of your training certificate(s)A valid FOID or a FOID in processAn electronic head and shoulders photo taken within the previous 30 daysProvide the last 10 years of residencyFor non-residentsAn electronic copy of a valid concealed carry license from the applicant’s home state A notarized affidavit documenting the applicant’s eligibility under both state and federal laws, understanding of the laws pertaining to possession and transport of firearms, acknowledgment the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Police and the Illinois courts and that the applicant meets the mental health standards in Illinois to obtain a firearmOptional Fingerprints— An applicant is not required to submit fingerprints with the application; however, the department has an additional 30 days to review an application that does not include fingerprints. If opting to provide fingerprints, go to a fingerprint vendor and have your prints taken. NOTE: Applicants will be assigned a transaction control number (TCN) at the time of fingerprinting and will be required to retain that TCN to complete the application. Specify to the Live Scan vendor that your fingerprint application is for the concealed carry application.Make your payment.
STEP 4:Allow 90 days for processing, or 120 days if electronic fingerprints are not provided. *The backlog of applications vary, however, applicants for FOIDs and CCLs can view the average processing time for FOIDs and CCLs here.
STEP 5:You will be notified if your CCL application has been approved.