We have received word that the Illinois State Police may start approving instructors a little bit ahead of schedule. All indications are that they were actually ready to start the online application process August 23, but halted it due to a minor glitch. That’s great news.

Additionally, it seems that the curriculum approval process may not be nearly as cumbersome (and time consuming) as many of us had feared. Without a crystal ball, it is impossible to know for sure, but I would not be shocked if we could start offering the class in October.

Since the enactment of the Firearms Concealed Carry Act on July 9th, everyone is trying to find out exactly how to get an Illinois Concealed Carry Permit. First off, it will be an Illinois License to Carry, not a “CCW.”

Applications are not yet available, and unfortunately not expected very soon. The first order of business will be to ensure that you have the required 16 hours of training that will be required to apply.

The Illinois State Police has until September 9th to issue a directive as to who the instructors will be and what the course curriculum will be for the 2nd eight hours of training. The first eight hours of training will be satisfied in a number of ways:
1) If you are an honorably-discharged veteran, you are credited with the first 8 hours of training
2) It has been communicated that NRA certified courses, concealed carry permit courses for other states’ ccw permits, and hunter education safety courses will also be recognized as sufficient to satisfy the first eight hours (this should be official and posted on the Illinois State Police website by Sept. 9).

In addition to training requirements, you will obviously have to pass a background check and pay the $150 fee.

So what about this “second 8-hour training course?” It is required that this course be passed by ALL applicants, regardless of prior training. This course will teach all the applicable laws relevant to concealed carry. The class also includes a shooting qualification, which most anyone who is familiar with a handgun will have no trouble passing.

If you want live in the following areas and you want to get training for an Illinois concealed carry permit (Illinois License to Carry), then Illinois Gun Pros has a class for you:

Cook County
Berwyn, Blue Island, Burbank, Bridgeview, Calumet City, Chicago, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Countryside, Des Plaines, Elgin , Elmhurst , Evanston, Harvey, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Markham, Northlake, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows

Kane County
Algonquin, Aurora, Barrington Hills, Bartlett, Batavia, Big Rock, Burlington, Campton Hills, Carpentersville, East Dundee , Elburn, Elgin, Geneva, Gilberts, Hampshire, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Kaneville, Lily Lake, Maple Park, Montgomery, North Aurora, Pingree Grove, St. Charles, Sleepy Hollow, South Elgin, Sugar Grove, Virgil, Wayne, West Dundee, Allens Corners, La Fox, Mooseheart, Plato, Starks, Wasco

DuPage County
Aurora, Batavia, Chicago, Darien, Elmhurst, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, St. Charles, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, Wood Dale, Addison, Bartlett, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Hanover Park, Hinsdale, Itasca, Lemont, Oak Brook, Roselle, Schaumburg, Swift, Villa Park, Wayne, Westmont, Willowbrook, Winfield, Woodridge