By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois lawmaker is proposing to change the Illinois Constitution to protect Firearm Owners Identification card fee revenue from being swept into the state’s general fund.

The proposal filed Wednesday would require that proceeds from the issuance and renewal of the Firearm Owners Identification card and concealed carry permits go solely toward facilitating the program or other firearm-related activities, akin to the 2016 “lockbox amendment” that altered the state’s guiding charter to protect road funds from being used for other purposes.

“What this does is put all of our money into a lockbox, so to speak, dedicated solely for the purpose of processing our applications or renewing or reviewing someone’s application that got turned down that they filed an appeal on,” \ state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, said of his proposal.

He plans to gather support from Democrats who have already said the program is underfunded and proposed higher fees for cards over shorter periods of time.

The proposal comes after revelations that more than $30 million in funds meant to facilitate FOID card renewals, applications, and appeals had been swept in recent years and diverted to general spending and not returned.

Two Illinois residents, with assistance from the Illinois State Rifle Association, filed a federal lawsuit last week against the Illinois State Police demanding the money be returned to the proper funds.

ISP officials said in a statement that the funds had been swept in previous budget years, not the current one, and that the agency had been making headway on reducing the backlog of FOID card renewal requests. At one time, ISP said it had 62,000 changes awaiting attention.

A lawmaker-executed constitutional amendment must pass both chambers with a supermajority and then be placed on the next general election ballot. If a majority of voters approve, the amendment would successful.

Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected].