On July 9, 2013, Public Act 98-63, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act became state law (430 ILCS 66). This law requires an Illinois Concealed Carry License to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will not be providing Livescan fingerprinting services for CCW licensing. Visit the Illinois State Police Concealed Carry Licensing website for a list of ISDPR registered agencies offering Livescan fingerprinting services.

Concealed Carry Legislation
The Concealed Carry Licensing legislation provides law enforcement agencies to “submit an objection to a license applicant based upon a reasonable suspicion that the applicant is a danger to himself or herself or others, or a threat to public safety.” The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has and will continue to review applications for Concealed Carry for the purpose of providing safety to Lake County residents.

Please refer to the Firearms Concealed Carry Act to review the entire legislation.

Requirements & Application
The Illinois State Police developed an Illinois Concealed Carry Licensing website to address:

• Eligibility Requirements
• Checklist Prior to Applying
• Application Process
• Finding an Authorized Firearms Instructor
• Requirements for Concealed Carry Signage

"Owners of any statutorily prohibited area or private property, excluding residences, where the owner prohibits the carrying of firearms must clearly and conspicuously post the Illinois State Police approved sign, in accordance with Firearm Concealed Carry Act, at the entrance of the building, premises or real property. Please refer to Section 65 (Prohibited Areas) of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act for more information on statutory requirements for signage as well as where concealed weapons are prohibited.

"Pursuant to Section 65(d) of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, signs must be of a uniform design and the Illinois State Police is responsible for adopting rules for standardized signs. Illinois State Police has proposed rules which require a white background; no text (except the reference to the Illinois Code 430 ILCS 66/1) or marking within the one-inch area surrounding the graphic design; a depiction of a handgun in black ink with a circle around and diagonal slash across the firearm in red ink; and that the circle be 4 inches in diameter. The sign in its entirety will measure 4 inches by 6 inches."