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Moving to IL and applying for CCL


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Hi everyone,

 

I will be moving to Chicago in September. I have a couple weeks between moving and starting work and was hoping to get my CCL training done during that time.

 

It seems there are a lot of steps - get IL drivers license, then FOID, then training, then CCL. However I have read advice that says you can apply for the FOID and CCL at the same time. I don't understand how this is practically possible since it seems most training companies/instructors require FOID in order to even register for the classes.

 

Is it possible to take a 16 hour CCL class near Chicago without already having a FOID so that I can then just apply for the FOID + CCL together right away (as soon as I have an Illinois drivers license)? Or does this have to go step by step?

 

Thanks

David

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Hi everyone,

 

I will be moving to Chicago in September. I have a couple weeks between moving and starting work and was hoping to get my CCL training done during that time.

 

It seems there are a lot of steps - get IL drivers license, then FOID, then training, then CCL. However I have read advice that says you can apply for the FOID and CCL at the same time. I don't understand how this is practically possible since it seems most training companies/instructors require FOID in order to even register for the classes.

 

Is it possible to take a 16 hour CCL class near Chicago without already having a FOID so that I can then just apply for the FOID + CCL together right away (as soon as I have an Illinois drivers license)? Or does this have to go step by step?

 

Thanks

David

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Yes you can absolutely take the Class ahead of all else! The thing is you have to first have a valid Foid Card which is what’s required in Illinois to “PURCHASE” firearms. That process is very simple and you should have it in 50-60 days at this point due to Covid-19. Once you have your FOID go active then you’ll be able to proceed with the CCW process!! This is where you’ll upload your training certification info and where you come to find that’s it’s very important that you’ve chosen a credible Instructor who is in good status with the Illinois state police.
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...you can absolutely take the Class ahead of all else! The thing is you have to first have a valid Foid Card...

...Once you have your FOID go active then youll be able to proceed with the CCW process...

 

Unless Im misunderstanding the intent, I'm going to ask for a source? It is true that many instructors do have a policy of requiring a FOID card, but I think that is policy...just like whether they have firearms to use or require you to bring your own to class.

 

...(4) an affirmation that the applicant possesses a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card and card number if possessed or notice the applicant is applying for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card in conjunction with the license application;...

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Any student working with an instructor/trainer does not need a FOID to either take the class portion and/or go shooting in Illinois.

That instructor/trainer must and will have a valid FOID for themselves and therefore will be responsible for you either taking the class and when doing the qualifying.

 

So in short, #1 get the Illinois DL as soon as possible to get it into the system.

Look ahead of your move and attempt to find an instructor/trainer who is having the full class (16 hours) or just the (8 hours) if you have prior trading which qualifies here in Illinois. NRA Basic Pistol, Military, Law Enforcement, etc.

 

#2 Get the class done and then apply on the ISP website and bang both cards out at the same time. Be prepared to wait!

 

*****If you apply for a foid first and say then apply for a CCL before you actually get the foid, the clock and time will reset and start again.

It’s posted here many times, so do yourself a favor and get both together!*****

 

As for purchasing a firearm, if you don’t already have one, YES you will not be able to purchase one till getting your cards.

In some places, I’ll warn you up front, you will not be able to go in to browse for a firearm due to the virus and store policies right now!

 

Good Luck and Welcome to the Forums

 

P.S. Jump into the Training threads and post looking for an instructor in what ever area you will be in, and the surrounding areas.

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Just want to add, if you have firearms already and officially changed your address to Illinois, you have to store your firearms somewhere else like relatives or friends with FOID until you have your own FOID with you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought that a new resident has 90 days to obtain a DL/ID and then once done, a 60 day grace period for a FOID. (although you wont be able to purchase firearms or ammunition here without a FOID)

 

Edit:

..."(d) Any person who becomes a resident of this State, who is not otherwise prohibited from obtaining, possessing, or using a firearm or firearm ammunition, shall not be required to have a Firearm Owner's Identification Card to possess firearms or firearms ammunition until 60 calendar days after he or she obtains an Illinois driver's license or Illinois Identification Card.

(Source: P.A. 99-29, eff. 7-10-15.)*"...

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Thanks everyone for the advice. It sounds like getting FOID + CCL at the same time is really the way to go. I'll look around and try to find an instructor who will let me take the class without having a FOID and using their gun/a range rental gun/etc. I've left my firearms with family in a different state while living in MA and the plan is to have them shipped to me in IL once I get all the licensing sorted out.

 

All I got to add is if there is anyway at all you can do it, DO NOT MOVE TO THIS STINKING STATE! You will regret it! Sorry!

I'm moving from MA so my expectations are starting off low when it comes to taxes, 2A rights, etc. Believe it or not the IL CCL process is much better than here where your ability to get an unrestricted carry permit is entirely at the discretion of your local police chief.

 

"I will be moving to Chicago in September."

Not really germane to the original post but just to clarify, do you mean moving to Chicago proper or Chicagoland as in Cook county or the surrounding collar counties?

 

The city proper.

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Thanks everyone for the advice. It sounds like getting FOID + CCL at the same time is really the way to go. I'll look around and try to find an instructor who will let me take the class without having a FOID and using their gun/a range rental gun/etc. I've left my firearms with family in a different state while living in MA and the plan is to have them shipped to me in IL once I get all the licensing sorted out.

 

 

 

 

"I will be moving to Chicago in September."

Not really germane to the original post but just to clarify, do you mean moving to Chicago proper or Chicagoland as in Cook county or the surrounding collar counties?

 

The city proper.

This can be discussed later, but Chicago is going to be a bit more restrictive. Municode has an AWB (will have to keep elsewhere), some LGS may have a policy of not selling to you certain firearms although allowed, mail order companies may not sell you ammo or magazines, Chicago has a mag cap limit on books (but is it legal with state handgun preemption) and a laser ban.

 

There is a list of approved instructors and curricula on the State Police Firearm Services web site

 

https://www.ispfsb.com

 

https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/instructors.aspx

 

as well as the training section mentioned here on the board.

 

http://illinoiscarry.com/forum/index.php?showforum=4

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Thanks everyone for the advice. It sounds like getting FOID + CCL at the same time is really the way to go. I'll look around and try to find an instructor who will let me take the class without having a FOID and using their gun/a range rental gun/etc. I've left my firearms with family in a different state while living in MA and the plan is to have them shipped to me in IL once I get all the licensing sorted out.

 

I'm moving from MA so my expectations are starting off low when it comes to taxes, 2A rights, etc. Believe it or not the IL CCL process is much better than here where your ability to get an unrestricted carry permit is entirely at the discretion of your local police chief.

 

The city proper.

 

Welcome to the forum.

And welcome to the City!

It's not nearly as bad here as some make it out to be.

 

There is a grace period for new residents...

As a MA resident, you may keep and store your guns at your new Illinois residence without a FOID.

You can go to a range (most of them) without an FOID as a resident of another state.

At some point you must get your Illinois DL if you plan to make this your state of residence... (I had a TX buddy put that off for over 12 years. He even bought a home here in Chicago.)

 

If you are able, take your CCL course as soon as you get here. Bring at least the handgun you shoot best (I would bring all of mine... no need for the expense of shipping them) for the live fire portion of the class. After that, get your IL DL and immediately apply for your FOID and CCL. You won't be able to purchase a gun or ammo or go to a range, after you get your IL DL, until your FOID arrives. The grace period will cover you during that time. And you will no longer be able to 'car carry' as a non resident.

 

I'm on the north side of Chicago. Halfway between O'Hare and downtown. I have chickens and a small native wildflower garden that fills my lot... no lawn at all. Chicago is a wonderful place!

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You dont have to do your training in IL, just from an approved instructor with approved curriculum. There are some instructors listed in VT, PA, MD and NY (none in MA) so you could get your certificate earlier without coming all the way here. But all instructors are not equally qualified so do your research.

 

At this point, certificates do not expire and only need reissuing if the ISP changes format.

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Rather than deal with the hassle of shipping, bring your firearms with you, stop in NW Indiana and rent a small storage locker and store your firearms there till you have gone through the sausage maker that is Illinois firearms law. Then you can retrieve them when your ready. Or when your finally so fed up with all the hassles and hoops Illinois puts you through, you can commute from NW Indiana to Chicago and have your residence in Indiana. Or pick them up on your way out of Illinois for anywhere. However, the best advice I can give you is to under no circumstances move into Illinois.

 

You don't say why you are relocating to Illinois, I assume it would be for work, My best bit of advice would be not to do so. The state is bankrupt with a 100 billion dollar budget shortfall. The politicians are dishonest and drunk with power; still, they gave themselves a raise in spite of the corona virus shutdown. As the state's credit rating falls, it is more costly to borrow money. Property values have started to tank as the state attempts to increase revenue on the backs of property owners. A lot of people that can afford to, have all ready moved out of state. Some cannot, so they are caught up in the wood chipper of Illinois politics being consumed economically by that unrelenting machine. Last I checked, Illinois had the highest percentage of citizens moving out of any state in the union. Don't believe it, go online and price a UHaul from your home to Illinois. Then price one from Chicago to your current home if you can get one at all. The price disparity will tell you all you need to know.

 

As a former refugee from Illinois, all I can say is, good luck and don't do it.

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I am a lifelong (71yrs and counting - lol) Chicago city proper resident - near Midway Airport. The city has a lot to offer, and a lot (maybe more) to despise. Give me back my youth and retain my perspective and knowledge and I am an N/W Indiana, S/E Wisconsin resident faster than a high speed camera could detect. The commute to downtown is quite do-able from either starting point and the added peace of mind and body plus all the 2A freedoms would make up for any hassles.

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