HB3176 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 29949 CPF 56364 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3176

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Tom Weber

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

430 ILCS 65/5	from Ch. 38, par. 83-5
430 ILCS 65/7	from Ch. 38, par. 83-7
430 ILCS 65/13.2	from Ch. 38, par. 83-13.2
430 ILCS 65/14	from Ch. 38, par. 83-14
430 ILCS 66/10
430 ILCS 66/45
430 ILCS 66/50
430 ILCS 66/60
430 ILCS 66/70
430 ILCS 66/75

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the duration of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall be the lifetime of the holder of the Card (rather than 10 years). Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the duration of a concealed carry license is the lifetime of the licensee (rather than 5 years). Provides that a Firearm Owner's Identification Card or concealed carry license issued before the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be valid during the Card holder's or licensee's lifetime regardless of the expiration date on the Card or license.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Firearm Owners Identification Card Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 7, 13.2, and 14 as follows:

(430 ILCS 65/5) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-5)

Sec. 5. Application and renewal.

(a) The Illinois State Police shall either approve or deny all applications within 30 days from the date they are received, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), and every applicant found qualified under Section 8 of this Act by the Illinois State Police shall be entitled to a Firearm Owner's Identification Card upon the payment of a $10 fee and applicable processing fees. The processing fees shall be limited to charges by the State Treasurer for using the electronic online payment system. Any applicant who is an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a member of the Illinois National Guard, or a member of the Reserve Forces of the United States is exempt from the application fee. $5 of each fee derived from the issuance of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card or renewals thereof shall be deposited in the State Police Firearm Services Fund and $5 into the State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund.

(b) (Blank). Renewal applications shall be approved or denied within 60 business days, provided the applicant submitted his or her renewal application prior to the expiration of his or her Firearm Owner's Identification Card. If a renewal application has been submitted prior to the expiration date of the applicant's Firearm Owner's Identification Card, the Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall remain valid while the Illinois State Police processes the application, unless the person is subject to or becomes subject to revocation under this Act. The cost for a renewal application shall be $10 and may include applicable processing fees, which shall be limited to charges by the State Treasurer for using the electronic online payment system, which shall be deposited into the State Police Firearm Services Fund.

(c) If the Firearm Owner's Identification Card of a licensee under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act expires during the term of the licensee's concealed carry license, the Firearm Owner's Identification Card and the license remain valid and the licensee does not have to renew his or her Firearm Owner's Identification Card during the duration of the concealed carry license. Unless the Illinois State Police has reason to believe the licensee is no longer eligible for the card, the Illinois State Police may automatically renew the licensee's Firearm Owner's Identification Card and send a renewed Firearm Owner's Identification Card to the licensee.

(d) The Illinois State Police may adopt rules concerning the use of voluntarily submitted fingerprints, as allowed by State and federal law.

(Source: P.A. 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(430 ILCS 65/7) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-7)

Sec. 7. Validity of Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

(a) Except as provided in Section 8 of this Act or elsewhere in this Section, a Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued under the provisions of this Act shall be valid for the person to whom it is issued for the Card holder's lifetime. A Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly shall be valid during the Card holder's lifetime regardless of the expiration date on the Card a period of 10 years from the date of issuance. Unless the person no longer meets the requirements or becomes subject to suspension or revocation under this Act, a card issued under an application made as provided in subsection (a-25) of Section 4 shall remain valid if the person meets the requirements of subsection (b-5) of Section 3.1.

(b) (Blank). If a renewal application is submitted to the Department before the expiration date of the applicant's current Firearm Owner's Identification Card, the Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall remain valid, unless the person is subject to or becomes subject to revocation under this Act. Unless the person no longer meets the requirements or becomes subject to suspension or revocation under this Act, a card issued under a renewal application made as provided in subsection (a-25) of Section 4 shall remain valid if the person meets the implementation requirements of Section 3.1.

(c) Beginning January 1, 2022, if the Firearm Owner's Identification Card of a licensee under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act expires during the term of the licensee's concealed carry license, the Firearm Owner's Identification Card and the license remain valid during the validity of the concealed carry license and the licensee does not have to renew his or her Firearm Owner's Identification Card, if the Firearm Owner's Identification Card has not been otherwise renewed as provided in this Act. Unless the Illinois State Police has reason to believe the licensee is no longer eligible for the card, the Illinois State Police may automatically renew the licensee's Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

(Source: P.A. 102-237, eff. 1-1-22.)

(430 ILCS 65/13.2) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-13.2)

Sec. 13.2. Name Renewal; name, photograph, or address change; replacement card. The Illinois State Police shall, 180 days prior to the expiration of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, forward by first class mail or by other means provided in Section 7.5 to each person whose card is to expire a notification of the expiration of the card and instructions for renewal. It is the obligation of the holder of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card to notify the Illinois State Police of any address change since the issuance of the Firearm Owner's Identification Card. The Illinois State Police may update the applicant and card holder's address based upon records in the Secretary of State Driver's License or Illinois identification card records of applicants who do not have driver's licenses. Any person whose legal name has changed from the name on the card that he or she has been previously issued must apply for a corrected card within 30 calendar days after the change. The cost for an updated or corrected card shall be $5. The cost for replacement of a card which has been lost, destroyed, or stolen shall be $5 if the loss, destruction, or theft of the card is reported to the Illinois State Police. The fees collected under this Section shall be deposited into the State Police Firearm Services Fund.

(Source: P.A. 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(430 ILCS 65/14) (from Ch. 38, par. 83-14)

Sec. 14. Sentence.

(a) Until the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, except Except as provided in subsection (a-5), a violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 2, when the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card is expired but the person is not otherwise disqualified from renewing the card, is a Class A misdemeanor.

(a-5) Until the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, a A violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 2, when the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card is expired but the person is not otherwise disqualified from owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms, is a petty offense if the card was expired for 6 months or less from the date of expiration.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) with respect to an expired card, a violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 2 is a Class A misdemeanor when the person does not possess a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, but is otherwise eligible under this Act. A second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony.

(c) A violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 2 is a Class 3 felony when:

(1) the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card is revoked or subject to revocation under Section 8; or

(2) until the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, the person's Firearm Owner's Identification Card is expired and not otherwise eligible for renewal under this Act; or

(3) the person does not possess a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, and the person is not otherwise eligible under this Act.

(d) A violation of subsection (a) of Section 3 is a Class 4 felony. A third or subsequent conviction is a Class 1 felony.

(d-5) Any person who knowingly enters false information on an application for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, who knowingly gives a false answer to any question on the application, or who knowingly submits false evidence in connection with an application is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

(e) Except as provided by Section 6.1 of this Act, any other violation of this Act is a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 97-1131, eff. 1-1-13.)

Section 10. The Firearm Concealed Carry Act is amended by changing Sections 10, 45, 50, 60, 70, and 75 as follows:

(430 ILCS 66/10)

Sec. 10. Issuance of licenses to carry a concealed firearm.

(a) The Illinois State Police shall issue a license to carry a concealed firearm under this Act to an applicant who:

(1) meets the qualifications of Section 25 of this Act;

(2) has provided the application and documentation required in Section 30 of this Act;

(3) has submitted the requisite fees; and

(4) does not pose a danger to himself, herself, or others, or a threat to public safety as determined by the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board in accordance with Section 20.

(b) The Illinois State Police shall issue a renewal, corrected, or duplicate license as provided in this Act.

(c) A license shall be valid throughout the State for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance. A license shall permit the licensee to:

(1) carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm, fully concealed or partially concealed, on or about his or her person; and

(2) keep or carry a loaded or unloaded concealed firearm on or about his or her person within a vehicle.

(d) The Illinois State Police shall make applications for a license available no later than 180 days after July 9, 2013 (the effective date of this Act). The Illinois State Police shall establish rules for the availability and submission of applications in accordance with this Act.

(e) An application for a license submitted to the Illinois State Police that contains all the information and materials required by this Act, including the requisite fee, shall be deemed completed. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no later than 90 days after receipt of a completed application, the Illinois State Police shall issue or deny the applicant a license. The Illinois State Police shall notify the applicant for a concealed carry license electronically to confirm if all the required information and materials have been received. If an applicant for a concealed carry license submits his or her application electronically, the Illinois State Police shall notify the applicant electronically if his or her application is missing information or materials.

(f) The Illinois State Police shall deny the applicant a license if the applicant fails to meet the requirements under this Act or the Illinois State Police receives a determination from the Board that the applicant is ineligible for a license. The Illinois State Police must notify the applicant stating the grounds for the denial. The notice of denial must inform the applicant of his or her right to an appeal through administrative and judicial review.

(g) A licensee shall possess a license at all times the licensee carries a concealed firearm except:

(1) when the licensee is carrying or possessing a concealed firearm on his or her land or in his or her abode, legal dwelling, or fixed place of business, or on the land or in the legal dwelling of another person as an invitee with that person's permission;

(2) when the person is authorized to carry a firearm under Section 24-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012, except subsection (a-5) of that Section; or

(3) when the handgun is broken down in a non-functioning state, is not immediately accessible, or is unloaded and enclosed in a case.

(h) If an officer of a law enforcement agency initiates an investigative stop, including, but not limited to, a traffic stop, of a licensee or a non-resident carrying a concealed firearm under subsection (e) of Section 40 of this Act, upon the request of the officer the licensee or non-resident shall disclose to the officer that he or she is in possession of a concealed firearm under this Act, or present the license upon the request of the officer if he or she is a licensee or present upon the request of the officer evidence under paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of Section 40 of this Act that he or she is a non-resident qualified to carry under that subsection. The disclosure requirement under this subsection (h) is satisfied if the licensee presents his or her license to the officer or the non-resident presents to the officer evidence under paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of Section 40 of this Act that he or she is qualified to carry under that subsection. Upon the request of the officer, the licensee or non-resident shall also identify the location of the concealed firearm and permit the officer to safely secure the firearm for the duration of the investigative stop. During a traffic stop, any passenger within the vehicle who is a licensee or a non-resident carrying under subsection (e) of Section 40 of this Act must comply with the requirements of this subsection (h).

(h-1) If a licensee carrying a firearm or a non-resident carrying a firearm in a vehicle under subsection (e) of Section 40 of this Act is contacted by a law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel, the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel may secure the firearm or direct that it be secured during the duration of the contact if the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel determines that it is necessary for the safety of any person present, including the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel. The licensee or nonresident shall submit to the order to secure the firearm. When the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel have determined that the licensee or non-resident is not a threat to the safety of any person present, including the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel, and if the licensee or non-resident is physically and mentally capable of possessing the firearm, the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel shall return the firearm to the licensee or non-resident before releasing him or her from the scene and breaking contact. If the licensee or non-resident is transported for treatment to another location, the firearm shall be turned over to any peace officer. The peace officer shall provide a receipt which includes the make, model, caliber, and serial number of the firearm.

(i) The Illinois State Police shall maintain a database of license applicants and licensees. The database shall be available to all federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, State's Attorneys, the Attorney General, and authorized court personnel. Within 180 days after July 9, 2013 (the effective date of this Act), the database shall be searchable and provide all information included in the application, including the applicant's previous addresses within the 10 years prior to the license application and any information related to violations of this Act. No law enforcement agency, State's Attorney, Attorney General, or member or staff of the judiciary shall provide any information to a requester who is not entitled to it by law.

(j) No later than 10 days after receipt of a completed application, the Illinois State Police shall enter the relevant information about the applicant into the database under subsection (i) of this Section which is accessible by law enforcement agencies.

(k) The Illinois State Police shall continuously monitor relevant State and federal databases for firearms prohibitors and correlate those records with concealed carry license holders to ensure compliance with this Act, or State and federal law. The Illinois State Police may adopt rules to implement this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(430 ILCS 66/45)

Sec. 45. Civil immunity; Board, employees, and agents. The Board, Illinois State Police, local law enforcement agency, or the employees and agents of the Board, Illinois State Police, or local law enforcement agency participating in the licensing process under this Act shall not be held liable for damages in any civil action arising from alleged wrongful or improper granting, denying, renewing, revoking, suspending, or failing to grant, deny, renew, revoke, or suspend a license under this Act, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(430 ILCS 66/50)

Sec. 50. Lifetime license License renewal.

(a) A license shall be valid during the licensee's lifetime. A license issued before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly shall be valid during the licensee's lifetime regardless of the expiration date on the license. This subsection (a) applies through the 180th day following July 12, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-80). The Illinois State Police shall, 180 days prior to the expiration of a concealed carry license, notify each person whose license is to expire a notification of the expiration of the license and instructions for renewal. Applications for renewal of a license shall be made to the Illinois State Police. A license shall be renewed for a period of 5 years upon receipt of a completed renewal application, completion of 3 hours of training required under Section 75 of this Act, payment of the applicable renewal fee, and completion of an investigation under Section 35 of this Act. The renewal application shall contain the information required in Section 30 of this Act, except that the applicant need not resubmit a full set of fingerprints.

(b) (Blank). This subsection (b) applies on and after the 181st day following July 12, 2019 (the effective date of Public Act 101-80). Applications for renewal of a license shall be made to the Illinois State Police. A license shall be renewed for a period of 5 years from the date of expiration on the applicant's current license upon the receipt of a completed renewal application, completion of 3 hours of training required under Section 75 of this Act, payment of the applicable renewal fee, and completion of an investigation under Section 35 of this Act. The renewal application shall contain the information required in Section 30 of this Act, except that the applicant need not resubmit a full set of fingerprints.

(Source: P.A. 101-80, eff. 7-12-19; 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(430 ILCS 66/60)

Sec. 60. Fees.

(a) All fees collected under this Act shall be deposited as provided in this Section. Application, renewal, and replacement fees shall be non-refundable.

(b) An applicant for a new license or a renewal shall submit $150 with the application, of which $120 shall be apportioned to the State Police Firearm Services Fund, $20 shall be apportioned to the Mental Health Reporting Fund, and $10 shall be apportioned to the State Crime Laboratory Fund.

(c) A non-resident applicant for a new license or renewal shall submit $300 with the application, of which $250 shall be apportioned to the State Police Firearm Services Fund, $40 shall be apportioned to the Mental Health Reporting Fund, and $10 shall be apportioned to the State Crime Laboratory Fund.

(d) A licensee requesting a new license replacement in accordance with Section 55 shall submit $75, of which $60 shall be apportioned to the State Police Firearm Services Fund, $5 shall be apportioned to the Mental Health Reporting Fund, and $10 shall be apportioned to the State Crime Laboratory Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-63, eff. 7-9-13.)

(430 ILCS 66/70)

Sec. 70. Violations.

(a) A license issued or renewed under this Act shall be revoked if, at any time, the licensee is found to be ineligible for a license under this Act or the licensee no longer meets the eligibility requirements of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(b) A license shall be suspended if an order of protection, including an emergency order of protection, plenary order of protection, or interim order of protection under Article 112A of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 or under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, or if a firearms restraining order, including an emergency firearms restraining order, under the Firearms Restraining Order Act, is issued against a licensee for the duration of the order, or if the Illinois State Police is made aware of a similar order issued against the licensee in any other jurisdiction. If an order of protection is issued against a licensee, the licensee shall surrender the license, as applicable, to the court at the time the order is entered or to the law enforcement agency or entity serving process at the time the licensee is served the order. The court, law enforcement agency, or entity responsible for serving the order of protection shall notify the Illinois State Police within 7 days and transmit the license to the Illinois State Police.

(c) (Blank). A license is invalid upon expiration of the license, unless the licensee has submitted an application to renew the license, and the applicant is otherwise eligible to possess a license under this Act.

(d) A licensee shall not carry a concealed firearm while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or combination of compounds, or any combination thereof, under the standards set forth in subsection (a) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

A licensee in violation of this subsection (d) shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first or second violation and a Class 4 felony for a third violation. The Illinois State Police may suspend a license for up to 6 months for a second violation and shall permanently revoke a license for a third violation.

(e) Except as otherwise provided, a licensee in violation of this Act shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation is a Class A misdemeanor. The Illinois State Police may suspend a license for up to 6 months for a second violation and shall permanently revoke a license for 3 or more violations of Section 65 of this Act. Any person convicted of a violation under this Section shall pay a $150 fee to be deposited into the Mental Health Reporting Fund, plus any applicable court costs or fees.

(f) A licensee convicted or found guilty of a violation of this Act who has a valid license and is otherwise eligible to carry a concealed firearm shall only be subject to the penalties under this Section and shall not be subject to the penalties under Section 21-6, paragraph (4), (8), or (10) of subsection (a) of Section 24-1, or subparagraph (A-5) or (B-5) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Section 24-1.6 of the Criminal Code of 2012. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, nothing in this subsection prohibits the licensee from being subjected to penalties for violations other than those specified in this Act.

(g) A licensee whose license is revoked, suspended, or denied shall, within 48 hours of receiving notice of the revocation, suspension, or denial, surrender his or her concealed carry license to the local law enforcement agency where the person resides. The local law enforcement agency shall provide the licensee a receipt and transmit the concealed carry license to the Illinois State Police. If the licensee whose concealed carry license has been revoked, suspended, or denied fails to comply with the requirements of this subsection, the law enforcement agency where the person resides may petition the circuit court to issue a warrant to search for and seize the concealed carry license in the possession and under the custody or control of the licensee whose concealed carry license has been revoked, suspended, or denied. The observation of a concealed carry license in the possession of a person whose license has been revoked, suspended, or denied constitutes a sufficient basis for the arrest of that person for violation of this subsection. A violation of this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor.

(h) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (h-5), a license issued or renewed under this Act shall be revoked if, at any time, the licensee is found ineligible for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, or the licensee no longer possesses a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card. If the Firearm Owner's Identification Card is expired or suspended rather than denied or revoked, the license may be suspended for a period of up to one year to allow the licensee to reinstate his or her Firearm Owner's Identification Card. The Illinois State Police shall adopt rules to enforce this subsection. A licensee whose license is revoked under this subsection (h) shall surrender his or her concealed carry license as provided for in subsection (g) of this Section.

This subsection shall not apply to a person who has filed an application with the Illinois State Police for renewal of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card and who is not otherwise ineligible to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

(h-5) If the Firearm Owner's Identification Card of a licensee under this Act expires during the term of the license issued under this Act, the license and the Firearm Owner's Identification Card remain valid, and the Illinois State Police may automatically renew the licensee's Firearm Owner's Identification Card as provided in subsection (c) of Section 5 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(i) A certified firearms instructor who knowingly provides or offers to provide a false certification that an applicant has completed firearms training as required under this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A person guilty of a violation of this subsection (i) is not eligible for court supervision. The Illinois State Police shall permanently revoke the firearms instructor certification of a person convicted under this subsection (i).

(Source: P.A. 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(430 ILCS 66/75)

Sec. 75. Applicant firearm training.

(a) Within 60 days of the effective date of this Act, the Illinois State Police shall begin approval of firearm training courses and shall make a list of approved courses available on the Illinois State Police's website.

(b) An applicant for a new license shall provide proof of completion of a firearms training course or combination of courses approved by the Illinois State Police of at least 16 hours, which includes range qualification time under subsection (c) of this Section, that covers the following:

(1) firearm safety;

(2) the basic principles of marksmanship;

(3) care, cleaning, loading, and unloading of a concealable firearm;

(4) all applicable State and federal laws relating to the ownership, storage, carry, and transportation of a firearm; and

(5) instruction on the appropriate and lawful interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed firearm.

(c) An applicant for a new license shall provide proof of certification by a certified instructor that the applicant passed a live fire exercise with a concealable firearm consisting of:

(1) a minimum of 30 rounds; and

(2) 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards; 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards; and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a B-27 silhouette target approved by the Illinois State Police.

(d) (Blank). An applicant for renewal of a license shall provide proof of completion of a firearms training course or combination of courses approved by the Illinois State Police of at least 3 hours.

(e) A certificate of completion for an applicant's firearm training course shall not be issued to a student who:

(1) does not follow the orders of the certified firearms instructor;

(2) in the judgment of the certified instructor, handles a firearm in a manner that poses a danger to the student or to others; or

(3) during the range firing portion of testing fails to hit the target with 70% of the rounds fired.

(f) An instructor shall maintain a record of each student's performance for at least 5 years, and shall make all records available upon demand of authorized personnel of the Illinois State Police.

(g) The Illinois State Police and certified firearms instructors shall recognize up to 8 hours of training already completed toward the 16 hour training requirement under this Section if the training course is submitted to and approved by the Illinois State Police. Any remaining hours that the applicant completes must at least cover the classroom subject matter of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Section, and the range qualification in subsection (c) of this Section.

(h) A person who has qualified to carry a firearm as an active law enforcement or corrections officer, who has successfully completed firearms training as required by his or her law enforcement agency and is authorized by his or her agency to carry a firearm; a person currently certified as a firearms instructor by this Act or by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board; or a person who has completed the required training and has been issued a firearm control card by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall be exempt from the requirements of this Section.

(i) The Illinois State Police and certified firearms instructors shall recognize 8 hours of training as completed toward the 16 hour training requirement under this Section, if the applicant is an active, retired, or honorably discharged member of the United States Armed Forces. Any remaining hours that the applicant completes must at least cover the classroom subject matter of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Section, and the range qualification in subsection (c) of this Section.

(j) The Illinois State Police and certified firearms instructors shall recognize up to 8 hours of training already completed toward the 16 hour training requirement under this Section if the training course is approved by the Illinois State Police and was completed in connection with the applicant's previous employment as a law enforcement or corrections officer. Any remaining hours that the applicant completes must at least cover the classroom subject matter of paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Section, and the range qualification in subsection (c) of this Section. A former law enforcement or corrections officer seeking credit under this subsection (j) shall provide evidence that he or she separated from employment in good standing from each law enforcement agency where he or she was employed. An applicant who was discharged from a law enforcement agency for misconduct or disciplinary reasons is not eligible for credit under this subsection (j).

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)