Bill
SB 1212
Illinois SB 1212 narrows gun-prohibition by allowing concealed carry licensees to carry in DOT rest areas and buildings within them, effective Sept 1, 2025; other limits stay.
Status and key dates
- Sponsor: Sen. Neil Anderson (introduced); additional co‑sponsors added during process (including Sen. Terri Bryant).
- Enacted by the Legislature, signed by the Governor: June 20, 2025.
- Effective date: September 1, 2025.
- Statutory reference amended: Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66/65 (Prohibited areas).
Purpose / intent
- The bill narrows one of the statutory “prohibited areas” for persons licensed to carry a concealed firearm by explicitly excluding Department of Transportation (DOT) rest areas — and buildings located in those rest areas — from that prohibition. In short: after enactment, concealed‑carry licensees may lawfully carry in DOT rest areas that are state property.
What the bill changes (substantive provisions)
- Amends Section 65 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (the list of places where a licensee “shall not knowingly carry a firearm”).
- Specifically modifies paragraph (3) of that section, which prohibits carrying in “any building, parking area, or portion of a building under the control of an officer of the executive or legislative branch of government.”
- The amendment adds the following carve‑out: “This paragraph (3) does not apply to any rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation or to buildings located in rest areas under the control of the Department of Transportation.”
- All other existing prohibitions in Section 65 (schools, correctional facilities, airports, certain government buildings, hospitals, courthouses, etc.) remain unchanged.
Who is affected
- Primary: individuals licensed under the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (licensees) who travel and use state DOT rest areas.
- Secondary: law enforcement, DOT personnel and the traveling public — because rest areas will no longer be automatically designated among the statutorily prohibited state properties for licensed carry.
- Private property owners and local governments remain able to prohibit firearms on their property under existing law and signage rules.
Practical impact and considerations
- The change increases the number of public locations where a concealed firearm may be carried by a licensee, specifically benefiting motorists who stop at state rest areas.
- Federal prohibitions and other state prohibitions (e.g., on school grounds, courthouses, secured facilities, etc.) continue to apply.
- Operational impacts for DOT or law enforcement are likely limited but may include updated training, signage review, and public information to reflect the statutory change.
Legislative path (summary)
- Introduced and advanced through committee hearings and readings; passed both chambers; enrolled and sent to the Governor; signed June 20, 2025; effective September 1, 2025.
For readers who want the exact legal text
- The amendment appears in 430 ILCS 66/65 (Firearm Concealed Carry Act — “Prohibited areas”) and contains the specific exemption language described above.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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