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allow for a grace period under normal conditions. Under 430 ILCS 65/5, a renewal application that has been submitted prior to the expiration date of the applicant’s FOID card shall remain valid while the Illinois State Police processes the application. Even the Illinois Concealed Carry Act allows for a grace period. Under 430 ILCS 66/70, 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 pos- sess a license under this Act.
Why would the State of Illinois allow citizens the right to a grace period but deny the same right to retired law enforcement officers? Our retired members have earned the right to protect themselves and their families and have served the public at much risk to their personal safety. These men and women are still vulnerable to the criminal element due to their service, and the unfounded refusal to allow for a grace period places them in danger. A letter was sent by the FOP Lodge 7 making the same argument, but there has been no response.
There is no basis in state or federal law not to issue a grace period in this time of a national emergency. If we are going to allow the regular Joe Citizen to have a grace period, why would we not extend that same right to our retired officers? The real issue is not that the State of Illinois is prohibited; it is that they simply do not want to. We all agree that COVID-19 should be taken seriously. We all agree with quarantines and handwash- ing. But we do not agree that this should be an opportunity for the State of Illinois to disarm our retired officers. Good advice would be to obtain your concealed carry license, but that will take time and only help in some future national emergency. Ei- ther way, while IROCC is a great benefit to us, like everything else we have fought for, it must be rigorously guarded or it could be taken away.
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