The Illinois State Police, under our new Governor Bruce Rauner, is working to bring Illinois into the 21st Century by accepting Firearms Owners Identification Card applications online.
More importantly, to make life easier for gun owners, the problematic Illinois Digital ID requirement is being jettisoned, effective March 16th. The State’s digital ID has been plagued with problems for users including an incompatibility with the latest version of Java and an incompatibility with Apple products.
For the Amish and those without computers, there will still be a call-in telephone number to initiate the application process and then a paper application, partially completed, for the individual to complete.
We laud the Illinois State Police for joining the rest of us in the 21st Century. We know that a year ago, under Governor Pat Quinn’s bitter animus, little or no effort would have ever been made to make life easier for law-abiding gun owners. It took lawsuit after lawsuit – or credible threats of lawsuits – for anything positive to happen for gun owners in almost every case. Our only criticism of this latest change is that the Amish folks typically don’t have telephones or drivers’ licenses.
Here’s the press release from the Illinois State Police:
Officials Aim to Modernize and Expedite Licensing Process for Efficiency
SPRINGFIELD (ISP) – The Illinois State Police (ISP) today announced the Agency will begin accepting on-line FOID applications beginning March 16, 2015, to provide a more streamlined and modernized application process. The ISP will no longer accept the current FOID paper applications after Monday, March 9, 2015; however, like the CCL, the new FOID application will be available through the Department’s website or through the paper alternative call center method for those individuals who do not have computer access. Minors under the age of 21 without a state of Illinois Driver’s License or Identification card and Amish applicants will be required to complete an alternative call-in paper application.
The ISP has also made changes to the login for both the CCL and FOID applications. Applicants will no longer be required to obtain a state of Illinois digital I.D. through the Department of Central Management Services. This login change will allow users greater accessibility to the new application process. All new applicants and returning CCL applicants will need to register with the Illinois State Police by providing some key identifiers found on their Illinois Driver’s License or Identification card, creating a username and password, and answering four security questions. The CCL website will be unavailable beginning Friday, March 13, 2015, at 5:00 p.m., until Monday, March 16, 2015, at 7:00 a.m., in order to implement the new FOID system.
Federal Firearm Licensed (FFLs) dealers will also have access to the web-based portal in order to conduct the required background checks of those wishing to purchase a firearm. All FFL’s in the state of Illinois are required to register with the ISP via the website at www.ispffl.com or by calling 217-524-3847 to continue to perform background checks after the launch of the new system. The old FTIP system will be closed on March 15 at 4:00 p.m. to allow data to be transferred to the new system. Beginning March 16, at 8:30 a.m., firearm dealers will be able to submit firearm background transactions via the website and follow up on previously requested checks based upon a transaction number.
Firearm dealers using the web-portal during the first 30 days of implementation will be able to submit transactions at no cost. The traditional fee of $2.00 is being waived. Firearm dealers will also still have the option of using the 800# dial-up process; however, dealers will be charged the $2.00 processing fee for this option.
The new CCL and FOID application process is intended to provide a user-friendly portal designed to ease and streamline both application processes.
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For more information contact:
FOID
Telephone: (217) 782-7980
What will they use in place of the Illinois Digital ID?
Is there any word on what will happen to existing Illinois Digital IDs?
Replace? A series of questions to confirm your identify based upon info they have in their system from your license, etc.
Existing? Dunno.
John
If it wasn’t for having to shovel horseshit, I’d join the Amish. No phone and plenty of apple pie.
I happen to have little Amish blood in me I guess that’s why I’m so stubborn and set in my ways. But being Amish doesn’t get rid of the FOID card problem.
My rights come from GOD not the state.
The last commandment Christ gave to his followers was to arm themselves. The word in Hebrew means implement of destruction, meaning arms but in the King James they took the word to mean sword.
The FOID card violates my religious Beliefs
I want to know more before I start cheering.
I don’t like doing things online and I still think the whole FOID card nonsense is BS.
I’ve stopped supporting the ISRA and NRA until its repealed!
The hell with the FOID and those that support it
Firearm Rights Organizations SHOULD be fighting to REPEAL F.O.I.D.; not cheering on a simplified method of government Gun Control. But then, without the threat, the so-called “Rights” organizations would not make $MONEY$!!!
On a brighter note, if they go digital, when the EMP strike destroys all electronic devices, the corrupt coppers won’t know where to go to confiscate our arms!
Yah! Go Rauner! You rock, buddy, and DEATH to all unions!
Gee you sound just like the antis. Death to anyone who doesn’t share your beliefs. Are there problems with unions? You bet. Where would we be w/o em? Still workin 12 hrs. a day and buying soup and bread at the company owned store. No thanks. Just because I’m a union member doesn’t automatically mean I’m anti 2A. In fact, most I know are very much pro.
Pray for EMP.
Bill, I don’t know anyone that supports the FOID act.
I wouldn’t confuse “support” with gun rights leaders wisely picking and choosing which battles are winnable and which are best left for another day. We’ve only got so much in the way of resources and I trust John and Todd and others to direct us in a way that will get results, not certain failure.
I think I remember Vandermyde saying at one of the GSL meetings something to the effect: “You have to pick your battles and some hills aren’t worth dying for, especially if you won’t ever win.”
Considering the vast Democratic majority and the past two governors, I think gun rights in IL have fared quite well despite withering assaults every year.
Sam
Sam your right I am ranting; as long as the Dems control Illinois we will be stuck with the stupid FOID card law and yes we have to pick the battles that we can at least have a chance to win.
That said it still doesn’t mean I cant be against it!
I have never like the FOID card law, it rubs me wrong every time I think of it. It was passed on a lie. The left used racial fears to pass that law and found to many willing accomplice on the right to support it.
After all the trouble I went through just to change my address on my fccl, I won’t be sorry to see the digital ID phased out. The only good thing I can say about the foid system is that it presents a strong argument AGAINST the current push for universal background checks. The foid proves that the buyer and seller have both been background checked already, and the ISP confirms it. There is no reason for yet another background check except to harvest data for registration and eventual confiscation.
I hope all of you remember that the old FOID system could not interface with the Terror watch list, VA list and NO fly list. Which are riddled with mistakes.
Also the change will allow Interpol and the NICS to now interface with the new FOID system.
While the system may make a differnce in dealing with the State we now have an additional layer of government to deal with in regarding our gun rights, meaning the FOID system will still exist.
While I dont agree with the NICS either why do we now need the FOID system at all?
Why not dump the FOID card altogether and be like the rest (or most) of the nation; FOID FREE?
FOID repeal?
Oh, yes.
I like your passion Bill.
Bring it to IGOLD on March 18th, the more voices there, the better for all of us. The elected can’t see or hear you from your couch.