Renew FOID card early

Now would be a good time to check the expiration date of your FOID card. Do it now. Get out the card. Read the expiration date.

The following message appears on the Illinois State Police website under FOID information: "Due to the large volume of firearm-related questions, please allow 30 days from the date your check cleared the bank before inquiring about the status of your FOID application."

However, when you call the Customer Service telephone number, a recorded message advises that processing time is running 57 days.

Don't wait until the last minute to renew your card. The State of Illinois could cast you right into the Felon category (firearms and/or ammunition possession without a valid FOID card) by not handling its backlog of applications and renewals faster.