State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) sent the following letter asking Governor Pritzker to extend the expiration date for firearm owner identification cards and concealed carry licenses for 90 days in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 7, 2020
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Dear Governor Pritzker,
In the midst of this current health crisis facing our state, my office has received numerous questions from concerned citizens regarding their expiring firearm owner’s identification cards (FOID) and concealed carry licenses (CCL). As you know, before the COVID-19 crisis, there was already a backlog in the state’s renewal process. This backlog caused law-abiding gun owners to wait extended periods before receiving their renewed license.
As Illinois continues to adjust to the new reality brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am asking you to consider extending the expiration dates for CCL and FOID cards by 90 days. The extension of these dates is critical for our state’s lawful gun owners who are facing so much uncertainty during this time.
The move to extend licensure deadlines would not be without precedent. For example, your administration worked with the Illinois Secretary of State to extend the expiration dates for all driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards after all Department of Motor Vehicle locations were closed.
I recognize that these are unprecedented times, and that you are navigating this situation to the best of your ability. However, given the unforeseen challenges this pandemic has created, we need to adjust accordingly to ensure our law-abiding gun owners are not unfairly penalized. Please, consider extending the expiration dates for firearm owner identification cards and concealed carry licenses for 90 days to protect our lawful citizens.
Sincerely,
Sue Rezin
Illinois State Senator, 38th District