Event Description
With the state budget behind us, lawmakers are set to act on their remaining priorities for the legislative session. These regional forums offer a chance to hear from legislators on their top policy priorities. We’ll touch on topics such as the ongoing response to COVID-19, curbing high prescription drug costs, retirement security, long term care reform, ways to make housing more affordable for an older population, and other pressing topics. Speakers
Assembly Member, District 75, Chair, Assembly Committee on Health
Richard N. Gottfried represents the 75th Assembly District, covering Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Murray Hill, Midtown and part of the Lincoln Center area of Manhattan. He is a leading state health policymaker, not only in New York but also nationally.
WBGZ Radio 4/16/2021 |
By Greg Bishop - Illinois Radio Network
Republicans and Democrats at the Illinois statehouse acknowledge something has to be done about the state’s Firearm Owner Identification card and Illinois State Police officials say they have the answer.
The state’s FOID card has been around since the 1960s. Illinois is the only state in the region that requires residents to possess a state-issued FOID card. Several years ago, the state was mandated by the courts to create a process for people to legally carry firearms and lawmakers approved a Concealed Carry License.
But, for more than a year there have been backlogs in applications being processed in the tens of thousands. Even state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, gets calls about the backlogs.
Credit Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is backing legislation that seeks to modernize the way the Illinois State Police processes and issues Firearm Owners Identification cards and Concealed Carry Licenses, a change that supporters say would speed up the process and improve public safety.
Senate Bill 1165, and its companion, House Bill 745, would essentially turn FOID cards and Concealed Carry Licenses into a single card so when someone renews their Concealed Carry License, their FOID card would automatically renew.
It would also provide for automatic renewals for people who voluntarily agree to submit fingerprints. And it calls on ISP to develop an internet portal in which state, local and federal law enforcement agencies could access information about people whose FOID cards have been revoked or suspended.
Brian Rich/Sun-Times file
SPRINGFIELD Dueling gun control bills are heading for a showdown on the floor of the state Legislature.
One would require potential gun owners to be fingerprinted to obtain a Firearm Owner Identification Card, entail more frequent renewal of the card and mandate background checks for the private sale of firearms.
The other bill is designed to lessen the strain on gun owners and the Illinois State Police by automatically renewing and digitizing FOID cards in Illinois. It has the backing of the police agency, which issues the cards and handles background checks for gun purchases.
Both bills seek to reform and improve the FOID card, which Illinois residents must have to legally own firearms or ammunition. But each side accuses the other of missing the target.
After Firearms Owners Identification card and concealed carry license applications backed up over the last year, lawmakers are making an effort to address the delay and make the renewal process more efficient with support from Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. The ISP is requesting legislation to consolidate the FOID and CCL card into a single card, Kelly said at a Wednesday press conference.
If passed, House Bill 745 and Senate Bill 1165 would allow FOID and concealed carry cards to be renewed at the same time to make the process faster and easier for the state police. It would also provide a way for the card to be automatically renewed.