Delayed FOID cards frustrate Randolph County residents
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Firearm Owners Identification card has been an issue of Hot dispute in Randolph County as well as the greater Illinois area. The main area of concern is the delay of renewal, especially with the onset of Firearm Deer Season that began in late November. Some Randolph County residents, with respect to the rest of Illinois, were not allowed to legally hunt this year due to lack of a FOID card. Although in some instances the FOID card was denied due to qualifications not being met, some residents have had their cards delayed because of the long, red-tape of bureaucracy. Which has infuriated many a hunter in Randolph County.
In Illinois, it is illegal to purchase, possess, or transfer a firearm or firearm ammunition without first obtaining a FOID card. Without the identification, it is a felony to possess, transfer, purchase, or hold a firearm. It has been a piece of Illinois legislation that has been in debate since its enactment in 1968.
Although many residents filled out their applications in a timely manner that would allow them to receive their card and purchase a hunting license, many were unable to hunt this year because of the delays. Some residents have waited upwards of 120 days. The average waiting period has been 40 days with some still waiting to receive their cards. A few residents received their cards mere days after firearm season ended.
More often than not, residents who have tired to contact the Illinois State Police Department have been met with a busy signal. Upon getting through to the ISP, residents have been told a number of excuses on the reasoning behind the delay. The main reason that has been submitted is that due to budget cuts, the ISP is understaffed. However, there has been a multitude of excuses ranging from unpaid tickets to improperly filled out applications to outright not receiving the applications. However, most people who sent in an application along with their $10 fee, have had their checks cashed, yet still have not received their card. And this has been going on for months.
The Public Safety code 430 ILCS 65/5 (from Chapter 38 paragraph 83-5) states "The Department of State Police shall either approve or deny all applications within 30 days from the date they are received, and every applicant found qualified, pursuant to section 8 of this Act by the Department, shall be entitled to a Firearm Owner's Identification card upon the payment of the $10 fee."
In section 8, the State gives a list of reasons why a FOID card denial would take place. Some of these reasons are: persons having a felonious police record; persons having a narcotics addiction; persons having a "mental condition" or who are "mentally retarded"; persons convicted of domestic battery; persons convicted of battery, assault, or a "substantially similar offense, in which a firearm was used"; and so forth. Most people raising these complaints exhibit none of the characteristics that would result in a denial of the FOID card.
According to the way the law is written, residents who have sent in their application and had their payment processed who are still waiting for their FOID cards, are being unfairly denied the rights that are guaranteed under the United States Constitution. Randolph County residents who have had FOID problems are encouraged to call the ISP Firearms Service Bureau at (217)782-7980. If this does not remedy a speedy solution, than contact your Government Representatives and lodge as many complaints as it takes to fix your problem:
State Senator Dave Luechtefeld- 103B State Capitol, Illinois 62706 or by Phone: (217) 782-8137
State Rep. Dan Reitz- 200-9S Stratton Building, Illinois 62706 or by Phone: (217) 782-1018
US Representative Jerry F. Costello- 2408 Rayburn House Office Building, District of Columbia 20515-1312 or by Phone: (202) 225-5661
US Senator Richard Durbin is also available for Illinois citizens and can be contacted by mail at 230 South Dearborn Street, Suite 3892, Chicago, Illinois 60604; or by phone: (312) 353-4952; or by email:
Randolph county residents are also encouraged to contact Brad Klosner at ledgereditor@verizon.net with any concerns, stories, or complaints concerning this matter.