Illinois FOID Statistics for 2024

Along with the creation of the FOID Card Review Board last year, the Illinois State Police maintain statistics of all FOID Cards issued and returned throughout each year. Oddly, the site that maintains these statistics provides information on the number of people issued FOID cards, the number of cards returned to ISP, the number of card holders who must complete disposition records, and even dealer license issuance. What’s not contained in the site are statistics on the number of people who have had their FOID cards revoked or anything about the statistics relating to the types of events leading to revocation. Nevertheless, your Illinois Gun Lawyer wants you to know as much as possible about your Second Amendment rights here in Illinois, so consider the following.

FOID Applications and Approvals Up From 2023 to 2024

In March 2023, ISP reported that 13,778 new applications were received, of which only 10,579 were approved. That amounts to a 76% approval rate. ISP also strangely reports that only 1,452 new applications were denied that month. Now, if you are someone who enjoys basic math, you may notice that given the number of applications and approvals, 3,199 of the applicants were not approved. We can only assume the reason why they aren’t reporting this number of denials is because many applications may be received in one month, but nor denied or approved until a following month. Nevertheless, ISP also revoked 557 FOID cards that month. There is nothing in the reports that would indicate the reasons for denials.

Compare these numbers with the most recent numbers from February 2024, during which 14,866 new applications were received and 14,033 were approved – a striking increase in both applications and the rate of approval, as this amounts to a 94% approval rate.

FOID Card Review Board Decision Deadlines

When the newly formed FOID Card Review Board (FCRB) was created and went into effect January 1, 2023, the amended section of the applicable statute gave a lot of information about how the board would meet, who would be on the board, and even the credentials required of the members. It did not, however, make it super clear how long the board would have to decide cases. Instead, under 430 ILCS 65/10, the FOID Act states the following propositions:

• Make a summary decision on each appeal within 45 days of receipt.
• If they can’t make a decision that fast, they get another 30 days, if (a) the Board needs additional information, (b) the appealing citizen consents to the extra time, or (c) the board provides notice that they need the extra time.
• Regardless of extensions, the Board can only get up to two 30-day extensions.

The net effect of these rules is that at the very longest, the Board must render a decision within 105 days of the materials being received.

Meet your FCRB Board Members

Because each member of the FCRB is appointed by the Governor, their names, county of residence, and political party affiliations are available to the public, though any record or mention of their decisions are not available under the Freedom of Information Act or Open Meetings Acts in Illinois, as they area expressly made private under the law. Notably of the 7 members, 4 are Democrats, 1 is independent, and 2 are Republicans. Moreover, 3 reside in Cook County, 1 is from Lake County (bordering Cook to the north), 1 is from Will County (bordering Cook to the southwest), and there are 2 from southern Illinois with one in Morgan County and one in Perry County. Interestingly, this means there are only two members of the Board south of the Joliet area.

How to Appeal Your FOID Denial to the Board

If your FOID Card application was denied or you’re a longtime FOID holder who has been unjustly revoked, you owe it to yourself to fight back and defend your fundamental right as a U.S. citizen to keep and bear arms. My Gun Lawyer is a new and unique site designed by a gun owner for gun owners. Many individuals prefer to work directly with an attorney, but naturally not everyone can afford the “white glove” experience. That’s why My Gun Lawyer also offers a do-it-yourself (DIY) option for some qualified individuals.

Take the 2-minute quiz today and find out if you qualify for one of our DIY packages. There is zero cost or obligation, and you do not need to provide any personal information when taking the quiz. You could save considerable money handling your own FOID Appeal. And even if you don’t qualify for a DIY package, our firm represents people throughout the State of Illinois, and we might just be able to help you too.