The topic of gun rights is often the cause of heated debates. The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms., but gun laws across the country vary depending on the state. Illinois residents who want to possess firearms or ammunition must have a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, which is issued by the Illinois State Police to qualified applicants. There are certain qualifications that a person must meet to obtain a FOID card, and then he or she must follow the stipulations or face criminal charges for violating the terms of it. 

Typical FOID Violations

There are several ways that someone can violate the terms of a FOID card. This includes unlawful use of a weapon (UUW). When this happens, the card may be revoked. If a person’s FOID is revoked, he or she must surrender it to police. In addition, the gun owner must surrender the card to law enforcement and disclose the make, model, and serial number of each firearm owned by the revoked cardholder.  

Several of the factors that would constitute noncompliance of the rules for a FOID card include: 

May is National Motorcycle Awareness Month. Motorcycles share the road with much larger vehicles, and they can be more difficult to see due and also more vulnerable in a crash due to their smaller size and lack of protection. Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities, especially to the person operating the motorcycle. That is why it is important for all motorists to be aware of other vehicles when traveling, whether it is a rural or urban street. Motorcycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. This also means they must obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals just like other motorists. If you are a motorcycle rider, it is important to understand the traffic laws that pertain to you to avoid violating them as well as causing a collision. In some situations, a traffic violation can even lead to criminal charges. 

Illinois Motorcycle Laws

It is not uncommon to see motorcycles weaving in between cars that are stopped in traffic or proceeding slowly in construction zones. However, this practice—known as “lane splitting”—is not allowed in Illinois. Motorcycle drivers are prohibited from passing between two other vehicles going in the same direction unless there is an open traffic lane to permit passing safely. 

Illinois is one of the few states that does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets. Eye protection such as goggles or glasses is required unless a windscreen is installed on the bike.

Regulations regarding firearms and weapons are taken very seriously in the state of Illinois due to the possible risk that they can pose to citizens and the high number of shootings that occur in the United States every day. However, the debate continues — do people feel more or less safe with a gun in their hands? Many Americans argue that owning a gun and being able to defend themselves if necessary provides them with a high level of reassurance. Infringing on the Second Amendment is not something that all U.S. lawmakers necessarily wish to do, but keeping people safe is also one of their main priorities. For this reason, Illinois residents are able to possess a gun as long as they follow the rules and regulations that are in place. Coronavirus has resulted in many changes throughout the country, including gun regulations. COVID-19 has actually led to a spike in gun purchases and a loosening of these regulations to adhere to the societal changes resulting from this pandemic.

What Permits Are Needed to Own a Gun?

In order to possess and carry a gun in Illinois, there are two separate permits needed. A Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card is required for anyone to legally possess firearms or ammunition in Illinois. This is issued by the Illinois State Police to qualified applicants. There are also a number of eligibility rules to obtain a FOID card, most of which look at the applicant’s criminal background. For example, he or she cannot be convicted of a felony or be the subject of an order of protection due to domestic violence.  

Getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teenagers. After completing the classroom work and the required number of hours behind the wheel, many teens feel a sense of  accomplishment when they finally become a licensed driver. They are excited and enthusiastic about hitting the road on their own. However, operating a motor vehicle takes practice, especially in traffic. In addition, there are many rules of the road that all drivers must obey to stay safe, regardless if they are traveling in a rural or urban area. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of automobile accidents is higher among teens aged 16-19 compared to any other age group. A traffic violation can result in a traffic ticket or more serious consequences. Therefore, it is important to understand what constitutes a violation if your teen driver is facing criminal charges. 

Graduated Driver Licensing Program 

The Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program is designed especially for teen drivers by the Illinois Secretary of State. This involves laws that specifically apply to young motorists. Consequences for violations can vary from traffic tickets to supervision to license suspension depending on the circumstances. 

During this initial licensing phase, drivers aged 16-17 have the following stipulations:

There is no denying the massive impact COVID-19 has had on millions of people all over the world. The new (novel) coronavirus that reportedly originated in China has now spread to other countries, including the United States. The influx of confirmed cases and reported deaths led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a global pandemic. Schools, along with non-essential businesses such as shopping malls, movie theaters, bars, restaurants, and sports venues have been closed temporarily. Health and government officials are urging people to practice “social distancing” in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. In many cities and states, there are “shelter in place,” isolation, or quarantine orders in place to protect the health and safety of its citizens. It is important to be aware of these restrictions to avoid any criminal charges. 

Typical Symptoms 

This specific type of coronavirus is highly contagious, and it travels from person to person through droplets from the nose or mouth that are spread when an infected person coughs or exhales. Typical symptoms of COVID-19 mirror upper respiratory illness such as pneumonia and include: