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 Previously, FOID cards were deemed invalid if they expired
during the renewal process.
“We shouldn’t punish gun owners who make every effort to get
their renewal applications in on time,” Rauner said. “This grace
period will ensure there is no interruption in their rights to
keep their firearms.”
House Bill 4855 also gives Illinois State Police 60 business
days, instead of 30 calendar days, to review and approve renewal
applications that are received in a timely manner.
“This is a win-win solution to problems for both gun owners and
the ISP regarding FOID card suspensions, revocations and
renewals,” said State Police Director Leo Schmitz.
The legislation also adds additional protection to keep guns out
of the hands of individuals with mental illness who have been
deemed dangerous to themselves or others.
HB 4855 clarifies the reporting standards for hospitals and
requires they report all mental health admissions to the state’s
Department of Human Services. Tightening the reporting standards
allows the state police to intervene more quickly and suspend a
person’s FOID card.
“With nearly two-thirds of gun deaths attributable to suicide,
this needed legislation will tighten up the regulations that
serve to keep guns out of the hands of mentally unstable
individuals,” said Rep. Barb Wheeler, R-Crystal Lake. “At the
same time, we’re shoring up the Second Amendment rights of
responsible FOID card holders by speeding up the renewal process
and removing the component that needlessly allows these cards to
expire.”
“This new law allows the Illinois State Police, by rule, to
suspend a FOID card for the duration of a disqualification,
rather than having to permanently revoke the FOID card, as long
as the disqualification is not a permanent grounds for
revocation like a felony conviction,” said State Sen.
Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, who served more than 32
years in law enforcement. “It also clarifies the definition of
‘patient’ so hospitals and mental health facilities have a
better idea about who is subject to reporting guidelines
required by the FOID Card Act, and what should be reported to
the Department of Human Services, and ultimately the State
Police.”
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Rauner also signed SB 2640 which allows retiring
state agency law enforcement officers from Illinois State Police,
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, State Fire Marshal,
Security of State Police and Capitol Police to buy the badges they
wore during their careers.
“They earned these badges and wear them with pride,” Rauner said.
These officers can also purchase their service firearms at
replacement cost, effective immediately.
“As an officer, you carry your badge and gun every day,” said State
Sen. Antonio Munoz, D-Chicago, a former Chicago police officer.
“They are symbols of a career in law enforcement, and retiring
officers have earned the opportunity to keep them as an honor to
their commitment and service.”
HB 5231 was also signed into law to encourage police officers to
seek mental health treatment, without jeopardizing their career. The
legislation provides that a police agency cannot make a FOID card a
condition of continued employment if the card is temporarily revoked
because of inpatient mental health treatment absent any
determination of the officers being a danger to themselves or
others. The bill is effective immediately.
Finally, HB 4348 was signed to require Illinois law enforcement
agencies, medical examiners, and coroners to seek support from
appropriate state and federal agencies, including the National
Missing and Unidentified Persons System, to facilitate prompt
identification of human remains. It is estimated that nationwide
4,400 unidentified bodies are recovered each year, with
approximately 1,000 of those bodies remaining unidentified after one
year. The new law is effective immediately.
[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner] |
