Panel reviewing rejected concealed carry permits

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Police have processed about one-fifth of the objections filed by residents whose concealed carry permit applications have been denied.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports more than 1,300 objections have been logged so far with the agency that decides whether to issue the licenses.

A seven-member state board makes decisions on the objections.

People can have their applications denied if they're under 21, don't have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card, have been convicted of a felony or have certain criminal convictions within the past five years. They also can't have pending arrests warrants or be in court-ordered substance abuse treatment programs.

Officials expect about 300,000 applications to be filed this year.

Illinois is the last state in the nation to allow concealed carry.