Bill
SB 1213
Illinois lifts the ban on licensed concealed-carry holders on public transit and transit property funded with public money; other prohibitions stay; effective immediately.
Status and sponsor
- Introduced: January 24, 2025
- Introduced by: Sen. Neil Anderson
- Statutory target: Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/65)
- Companion: HB 1876 (companion bill)
- Note: The provided packet included multiple different bills from other states that share the SB 1213 designation. This summary focuses on the Illinois version that modifies the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
Purpose
- To remove a statutory prohibition that prevented licensed concealed-carry holders from knowingly carrying a firearm on public transit or on property controlled by public transportation facilities that are paid for wholly or partly with public funds.
Key provisions
- Amends Section 65 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/65).
- Eliminates the provision that a licensee “shall not knowingly carry a firearm on any bus, train, or form of transportation paid for in whole or in part with public funds, or in any building, real property, or parking area under the control of a public transportation facility paid for in whole or in part with public funds.”
- Leaves intact the remainder of Section 65; other listed prohibited locations (schools, courthouses, detention facilities, hospitals, airports, certain alcohol-serving establishments, etc.) continue to apply unless separately changed.
- Effective date language in the bill text indicates the change would be effective immediately upon enactment.
Who is affected
- Primary: Individuals who hold a valid concealed-carry license under Illinois law — they would no longer be barred by state statute from carrying on public transit or in property controlled by publicly funded transportation facilities.
- Secondary: Public transit agencies, transit riders, law enforcement, and transit security personnel — policies and enforcement practices may need review and possible adjustment.
- Private property owners and transit contractors — state statutory prohibition removal does not negate private property rights; owners/operators can still prohibit firearms on their property where permitted by law (e.g., by signage or contractual terms), and federal restrictions (e.g., on aircraft) remain applicable.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Expands locations where licensed carriers may legally carry firearms, potentially affecting perceived and actual security on buses, trains, stations, and related parking areas.
- Transit agencies that previously relied on the state prohibition would no longer have that statutory basis to ban licensed carriers; they may need to evaluate other legal authorities (local ordinances, federal rules, property rights) to set policy.
- Law enforcement and transit staff could face practical and training considerations regarding detection, response, and communication about armed passengers.
- The change does not affect other statutory prohibitions in the Concealed Carry Act nor federal prohibitions; it applies only to persons licensed under the Act.
Procedural status (from provided materials)
- Introduced 1/24/2025 and referred to Assignments. (The provided document contains materials from multiple states; a definitive bill-tracking status for the Illinois measure beyond introduction was not available in the packet.)
If you want, I can:
- Track current bill status in the Illinois General Assembly and report updates (committee referrals, amendments, votes), or
- Produce a short memo comparing this change to transit firearms policies in other states.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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