Senate passes FOID fix with optional fingerprint submission

SPRINGFIELD — The Senate passed its own version of legislation regarding changes with the FOID card late Monday.

Supporters of the bill say it should ease the backlog of issuing FOID’s by The Illinois State Police. Opponents argue it hurts law abiding citizens rather than targeting criminals who should not have guns as the criminals don’t have FOID cards anyway.

Under the bill, FOID card holders would have the option to submit their fingerprints and then they could have an automatic renewal along with an electronic FOID card. The current process of constant renewal causes months-long backlogs.

The Senate’s version of the bill passed 40-17. Two senators didn’t vote.

The Illinois House of Representatives passed its own FOID revision on Saturday that called for mandatory fingerprinting. That version of the bill was pre-empted with an amendment.

Illinois State Police. Director Brendan Kelly supports the voluntary submission of fingerprints.

Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) and State Rep. Randy Frese (R-Quincy) each voted against the versions in their respective chambers. State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) voted for the measure.