HB4013 expands Illinois’ existing law-enforcement concealed carry framework to include additional correctional and jail personnel. Specifically, it directs the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to create a process for Department of Corrections correctional officers and retired correctional officers, as well as deputy sheriffs, county correctional officers, and their retired counterparts, to obtain concealed carry licenses through the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry program.
The bill amends two statutes: the Unified Code of Corrections and the County Jail Act. It builds on current provisions that treat these personnel as qualified law enforcement officers, or qualified retired/separated officers, for purposes of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), and adds an explicit state process for concealed carry licensing through the retired officer program. In practical terms, the bill would affect the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board and the categories of current and former correctional and jail officers eligible for concealed carry licensure.
Impact
If enacted, HB4013 would change Sections 3-2-14 of the Unified Code of Corrections and 26.1 of the County Jail Act by requiring the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to establish a concealed carry licensing process for specified correctional officers, deputy sheriffs, and retired personnel. The bill would not broadly alter firearm law for the general public, but it would expand access to the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry program for these covered public safety employees and retirees, while reinforcing their LEOSA-related status under state law.
Sentiment
The bill text and caption suggest a pro-law-enforcement, pro-carry approach focused on extending firearm privileges to correctional and jail personnel. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented debate or formal voting pattern to indicate broader legislative sentiment. Based on the bill’s structure, the measure appears intended to be supportive of current and retired officers rather than controversial in its drafting, though it implicates firearm policy and officer eligibility issues that often draw scrutiny.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the expansion of concealed carry licensing to additional categories of correctional and jail personnel, including retirees, through the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry program. Supporters would likely emphasize officer safety, parity with other law-enforcement retirees, and consistency with LEOSA. Opponents, if any, would likely focus on firearm access, training and oversight standards, and whether correctional officers and county jail personnel should receive the same concealed carry treatment as other law-enforcement groups. No specific objections or supporters are documented in the provided materials.