SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTAX) = Illinois gun owners should celebrate this news:

“The FOID system has undergone significant modernizing and streamlining. and the FOID backlog has been eliminated,” said Illinois State Police director Brendan Kelly (pictured). “More importantly, thousands of prohibited persons have been thwarted in their attempt to illegally obtain a firearm.”

FOID stands for Firearm Owner’s Identification card,, which Illinois gun owners must possess. Kelly credits a string of stable state budgets for the ability to hack away at the notorious backlog.

Kelly spoke to senators on an appropriations panel, presenting a FY 25 budget that included a $32 million request for the FOID and concealed carry licensing process.

What’s more, Kelly says schools, police, and medical professionals are making heavy use of a notification system when someone poses a threat to themselves and others.

“We are getting those ‘clear and present danger’ reports all day, every day.”