Illinois Valley Times

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Elmhurst) is proud to see her words have meaning.

Not long after the veteran lawmaker penned a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker imploring him to take action on behalf of legal gun owners suddenly facing unforeseen obstacles stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, Illinois State Police (ISP) moved to file emergency rules that allow Firearm Owner Identification card (FOID) and Concealed Carry License (CCL) holders to legally continue carrying if there license expires during the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation.

The new policy also extends for a period of 12 months following the termination of the order.

“It’s a huge win for people trying to follow the law that states both cards have to be valid,” Rezin told the Will County Gazette. “By allowing this extension it provides gun owners the ability to still be legal in state law while being able to exercise their constitutional right to be a legal gun owner.”

In her letter, Rezin called on the governor to grant legal gun owners the same grace he did motorists when he extended the expiration dates for all driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards after all Department of Motor Vehicle branches were shuttered as a way of trying to mitigate the spread of the virus.

“Many people called my office concerned about this issue,” Rezin said. “Illinois State Police had already been behind when it comes to working on applications and in terms of working on applications and the problem has only been compounded by the pandemic.”

Other changes that are part of the rule changes include CCL licensees no longer being required to immediately submit proof of three-hour training with their CCL renewal application and that change staying in effect for 12 months following the termination of the state’s disaster proclamation.

“This is by far is the most calls my office has received about any one issue,” Rezin said. “This is just the right thing to do for people doing what they have the right to do.”