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Good luck. I happen to be heading to IL tomorrow.

poppo wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 1:27 pm I know this is an old thread, but I had gotten my IL non-resident license back in 2018 and it is coming up for renewal next year. I did the course through a place in Houston last time (I am near San Antonio), but it seems they are no longer in business. Anyone know of another place here in TX that does the renewal class? I can do it in IL the next time I go there, but just wanted to see what other options there are.

Just renewed my IL CCL in June. Took the class at Quail Creek Range north of Ft Worth (I'm in Waco). The instructor is listed on the ISP Applicant Portal as "Lone Star Firearm Instruction". The email listed is valid.

I did not do fingerprints. Under current IL COVID relief, as long as you get your full renewal submitted and paid for prior to expiration your CCL will remain valid until you get your new card. It still takes 90-120 days to get the new license. ISP will send you an email that you can carry with your CCL to show any LEO that it is still valid.

And it should go without saying, your Texas LTC still needs to be valid.

Keith, IL honors the Federal transport rules. If you unload your firearm and lock it in a case you can carry into your hotel, as this is considered your abode under IL law. You can also possess a firearm without a FOID (if you are a non-resident) at a private residence if you have the permission of the owner.

And you are correct, when IL passed their CCL law, it included the provision for licensees from other states to carry in their vehicles, even if IL did not recognize that state's laws as "substantially similar".

IL is kinda where TX was 20 year ago, altho it is considerably more liberal since Cook County controls most of the politics. IL has more statutory restrictions on where you can CC (such as public parks, and public transportation), but other than statutory places, you can CC anywhere that is not legally posted at private businesses, etc.

Stroo, do you have links to those instructors?

BTW, IL will waive 8 hours of the required 16 hrs if you have military service.

I follow IL laws becasue my I visit my daughter's family frequently. This is a HUGE change. From the ISP FAQ web page:

"Can out-of-state residents obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License?
Yes. However, only residents of states or territories of the United States that have laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying, that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act are eligible.
What does "substantially similar" mean?
"Substantially Similar" means the comparable state regulates who may carry firearms, concealed or otherwise, in public; prohibits all who have involuntary mental health admissions, and those with voluntary admissions within the past 5 years, from carrying firearms, concealed or otherwise, in public; reports denied persons to NICS; and participates in reporting persons authorized to carry firearms, concealed or otherwise, in public through Nlets.
How can I find out if my state's laws are considered "substantially similar?"
The Illinois State Police sent a survey to each state to determine which of them has laws that are substantially similar. Currently, the only states considered to be substantially similar are Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia.
Note: Not all states have responded to the survey."

It appears you also have to have a LTC already from your state to apply.

I should also note that IL already allows vehicle concealed carry, if you are licensed by your state to CC.