Illinois Attorney Eileen Burke has introduced a legislative proposal aimed at providing first-time, nonviolent gun offenders with an opportunity to comply with Illinois’ firearm licensing laws.
The initiative would allow eligible individuals charged with a Class 4 felony for gun violations to apply for a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card while participating in a diversion program. Currently, individuals in the First Time Weapons Offense Program cannot apply for a FOID card until after their charges are dismissed, often leaving them without a legal avenue to own a firearm even after completing the program.
Under the proposal, the Illinois State Police would still have the authority to deny FOID applications if applicants do not meet legal qualifications for gun ownership.
Burke stated that the proposal strikes a balance between cracking down on illegal firearms and ensuring fair treatmentfor first-time offenders who may have unknowingly violated the law.
The measure was introduced in the Illinois General Assembly by State Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) as part of broader discussions on gun law reform and enforcement policies.
“There is no higher priority for this office than getting illegal guns and the people who use them off the street, and we will use every resource at our disposal in that effort,” Burke said. “At the same time, we must be smart about how we use our resources and how we impact people and communities. This bill will provide another tool to strike that important balance.”
The legislation is now under review in the Illinois General Assembly, where lawmakers will debate its potential impact on public safety and criminal justice reform.
