CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois State Police said they've made major progress on a backlog of FOID card applications.
The ISP said its Firearms Services Bureau is now working to process applications more quickly, but Firearm Transaction Inquiries -- the background check that precedes an anticipated purchase of a firearm -- is currently processing within the mandated 72 hours.
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SEE MORE: Illinois FOID card delays: New law will help state clear backlog, IL State Police director says
Applications for the cards surged last year, while staffing levels remained stagnant.
"In 2020, the FSB received an unprecedented number of new FOID and CCL applications. At its peak, applications for new FOID cards hit nearly 143,000 in October 2020," officials said.
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RELATED: ISP working to reduce backlogs for FOID cards, concealed carry licenses
ISP credits extra staffing and improved technology for reducing the FOID card backlog by 75% for new applicants and 89% for renewals.
The video in the player above is from an earlier report.