Bill
SB 1222
Illinois SB 1222 repeals the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Act, eliminating the FOID requirement to possess or buy firearms/ammo, effective Jan 1, 2026.
Status snapshot
- Bill title (short): FIREARM OWNERS ID ACT — REPEAL
- Principal sponsor: Sen. Andrew S. Chesney (Introduced in Illinois)
- Introduced: January 24, 2025 (filed with Secretary by Sen. Chesney)
- Effective date if enacted: January 1, 2026 (per bill text)
- Companion: HB 1233
- Recent co‑sponsors (added): Sen. Chris Balkema (5/16/2025); Sen. Terri Bryant (5/30/2025)
Note: the source materials provided include text from other states and unrelated bills. This summary focuses on the Illinois SB1222 item that expressly "Repeals the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act."
Purpose and intent
- The bill would repeal the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) Act, removing the state statutory requirement that individuals obtain a FOID card to possess or purchase firearms or ammunition in Illinois.
- The bill also makes conforming changes to other state statutes that reference the FOID Act to align statutory language with the repeal.
Key provisions
- Full repeal of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (specific statutory section(s) not listed in the excerpt).
- Amendments to various other Illinois Acts to remove or revise references to FOID card requirements (text indicates multiple conforming changes, but the excerpt does not list each affected statute).
- Effective date for the repeal and conforming changes: January 1, 2026.
Who would be affected
- Current and prospective FOID card holders: they would no longer be required to hold a FOID card to possess or purchase firearms or ammunition under state law (federal rules would remain applicable).
- Law enforcement agencies and the Illinois State Police: would need to stop FOID issuance and adjust administrative processes, enforcement practices, recordkeeping, and any databases tied to FOID administration.
- Firearm dealers and retailers: compliance obligations tied specifically to FOID checks or FOID verification would change; federal background check requirements (e.g., NICS) would still apply.
- State agencies and courts: statutes, regulations, forms, and training referencing FOID would require revision.
- State revenue/fees: elimination of FOID application/renewal fees would affect revenues that previously funded FOID administration.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Introduced in the Illinois General Assembly on January 24, 2025; referred to committee(s) (assigned to assignments per filing record).
- If enacted as written, repeal and conforming statutory changes would take effect January 1, 2026.
- Because the bill removes an existing regulatory framework, implementation would also require administrative action (rule and procedure changes) by affected agencies and possible transitional provisions (not shown in the excerpt).
Potential implications to monitor
- How the repeal interacts with federal law (background checks under the Brady Act) and with local ordinances or other state firearm restrictions.
- Specific list of statutes amended for conforming changes — important for identifying gaps, unintended consequences, or conflicts (e.g., statutes that presuppose a FOID card for eligibility, possession, or storage rules).
- Administrative transition: disposition of FOID records, handling of applications in process, and public notice to stakeholders (dealers, law enforcement, existing FOID holders).
If you want, I can:
- Produce a list of likely Illinois statutes that will need conforming edits (based on common FOID references), or
- Draft an implementation checklist for state agencies and firearm businesses to prepare for a Jan 1, 2026 repeal.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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