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- Published: Friday, August 17, 2018 12:04 PM
SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Antonio “Tony” Munoz’s (D-Chicago) legislation giving the Illinois State Police tools to better evaluate Firearm Owners Identification Card applications was signed into law today.
“This measure provides the State Police the proper information for them to make the right decisions when it comes to administering FOID cards,” Munoz said. “It closes a loophole that was potentially putting guns in the hands of individuals who are unfit to possess them.”
Currently, individuals who have been a patient of a mental health facility within the past five years are ineligible to receive a FOID card. House Bill 4855 expands the definition of patient to include those who are placed in a mental health facility against their will, but ultimately not court ordered.
The legislation also:
• Changes the Illinois State Police’s requirement to approve or deny FOID card renewals within a 30-day period to a 60-day period.
• Allows for the suspension of an individual's FOID card if the card is subject to revocation for a reason that is not grounds for permanent revocation.
The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2019.