Today, the state Senate passed House Bill 3500 by a 42 to 1 vote, with two voting “present” and 14 absent. Sponsored by state Senator Kirk Dillard (R-24) and introduced by state Representative Richard Morthland (R-71), this legislation seeks to incorporate a necessary reform to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to ensure that the personal information of those who have applied for or received a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) shall not be disclosed unless it is necessary as part of a criminal investigation. HB 3500 passed in the state House on April 8 by a 98 to 12 vote.
The FOIA amendments contained in HB 3500 became necessary following an opinion issued by anti-gun Attorney General Lisa Madigan in which she stated the Illinois State Police (ISP) must release the personal information of every law-abiding gun owner in Illinois to the Associated Press (AP). Since the mid-1960’s, the ISP has maintained a database with all FOID information, and has considered this material to be confidential and not subject to release. The AP had previously filed a FOIA request for this very information. Enactment of HB 3500 is absolutely essential to protect your rights as a gun owner and ensure that your personal information will stay confidential, and not in the hands of those who have no right to possess it.
HB 3500 now goes to Governor Pat Quinn for his consideration. Please call and e-mail Governor Pat Quinn and urge him to sign HB 3500 into law. Contact information for Governor Quinn can be found here.
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