FOID Privileges Came Too Late for Client

[Michael R. Donahue]

I believe this tragedy is important to share given the ISP's present statutory obligation and policy enforcement.  I very recently was able to assist a client in securing her FOID card.  She was in her late 30's, a successful bar owner and single mother of a young child. When she was roughly 16 years old she was referred for a mental health evaluation at the insistence of a parent who was concerned over her behavior and possible drug use. She was able to qualify for FOID relief after meeting ISP requirements, receiving a supporting psychological assessment and submitting a successful appeal. I spoke to her late last week and she told me that it just so happened she just received her FOID card in the mail. I was informed that over the weekend she was murdered during a robbery at her bar. She was days away from having a firearm in her place of business. This information is not an indictment of ISP policy which is proscribed by statute. But shouldn't the legislature take a look at this case and see if what steps can be taken to keep this from happening again. She was 16 years old when the mental health referral was made. I am at a total loss. 

 

                                                                                                                                                Michael R. Donahue

                                                                                                                                                Attorney at Law

                                                                                                                                               (708) 691-0457

                                                                                                                                                   

[Jeffrey]

We all know the FOID is unconstitutional.  Unfortunately the state doesn't see it that way.  I'm sorry for your loss.

[davel501]

On 2/2/2026 at 4:10 PM, Michael R. Donahue said:

I believe this tragedy is important to share given the ISP's present statutory obligation and policy enforcement.  I very recently was able to assist a client in securing her FOID card.  She was in her late 30's, a successful bar owner and single mother of a young child. When she was roughly 16 years old she was referred for a mental health evaluation at the insistence of a parent who was concerned over her behavior and possible drug use. She was able to qualify for FOID relief after meeting ISP requirements, receiving a supporting psychological assessment and submitting a successful appeal. I spoke to her late last week and she told me that it just so happened she just received her FOID card in the mail. I was informed that over the weekend she was murdered during a robbery at her bar. She was days away from having a firearm in her place of business. This information is not an indictment of ISP policy which is proscribed by statute. But shouldn't the legislature take a look at this case and see if what steps can be taken to keep this from happening again. She was 16 years old when the mental health referral was made. I am at a total loss. 

 

                                                                                                                                                Michael R. Donahue

                                                                                                                                                Attorney at Law

                                                                                                                                               (708) 691-0457

                                                                                                                                                   

 

This information is an indictment of ISP policy. If they had moved with the haste due a person being denied their rights she would have had time to be armed and trained for the fight for her life. 

[Michael R. Donahue]

The ISP must comply with the law. The problem as I see it lies with the legislature that proscribes what the ISP can and cannot do.

[davel501]

On 2/2/2026 at 7:27 PM, Michael R. Donahue said:

The ISP must comply with the law. The problem as I see it lies with the legislature that proscribes what the ISP can and cannot do.

 

It seems like a 4th Amendment taking at this point but who is going to pursue it? 

[mikeyk101]

Is this the story about the poor woman who was murdered?

 

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/woman-found-dead-near-bar-far-south-suburbs-death-ruled-homicide-sheriff

[John Q Public]

Defend your life and you family, worry about court issue later. I can tell you this, I will never let anyone tell me if/when I can defend my life, or those I love. When it all comes clean, we all have a God given right to protect ourselves and our own. When it comes to this, IDC what the they pass, I will defend my family. 

[ragsbo]

A wise man one said "Do what you gotta do; then SHUT UP about it"

[Yeti]

Couldn’t buy a gun without a dumb FOID and then she still would have had a waiting period if she had the free time to immediately make a gun purchase once she received the FOID.  Two tragic long delays of rights in this oppressed state and no one could legally sell her a gun without becoming a criminal in the meantime so no way for her to quietly disobey.  She should have had the tools she needed for self defense.

 

If this is the case linked above, she worked 200 ft or so away from being likely able to protect herself more readily/quickly in the free state of IN had she resided there.  This is a clear and tragic example spotlighting how oppressive IL really is in trampling the given right to protect ourselves and should make for a strong statement in some 2A legal action.

 

 

 

[TRussell]

Yeah. this state does not give a crap about the safety of its citizens. It is all about political power and control over the people. We continue to have too many citizens that vote for oppression. I do not understand it.

[mikeyk101]

The POS that robbed and executed her was from Hammond Indiana. Looks like he had no problem getting a firearm. 

 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/horror-small-town-illinois-mother-gunned-down-execution/

[Quiet Observer]

I do not intend to blame the victim, but this could be a wakeup call for others. I do not know when she first applied. It seems that she could have be eligible when she was 21, 5 years after the psych. evaluation. She potentially could have been CCing at this point. Her actual history is confidential. I am only talking theoretically. 

 

My point is how many are putting off getting a FOID and/or a CCL? Others have posted on other threads that it is too much trouble, or not worth it. Maybe they should reconsider. 

 

May she rest in peace.

[TomKoz]

Apparently she complied and handed him the cash.  He still shot her execution style.

Did she ever have a chance?   
Was this a “hit”?   Cash drawer would be low at opening.

Evil is real people.  Prepare.  
As I always tell my kids .. Stay Alert. Stay Alive !