Bill Amendment: IL SB2279 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly

NOTE: For additional amemendments please see the Bill Drafting List

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Bill Title: RIFL ACT

Status: 2026-05-22 - Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments [SB2279 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-SB2279-Senate_Amendment_002.html

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Sen. Robert Peters

Filed: 5/15/2026

 

 

 

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AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2279
AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2279 by replacing
everything after the enacting clause with the following:
"Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Responsibility in Firearm Legislation Act.
Section 5. Findings and purpose. The General Assembly
finds that the people of the State of Illinois have incurred
undue direct costs and financial burdens from injuries and
deaths as a result of the use of firearms in this State.
Therefore, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the
people of the State of Illinois, it is necessary that firearm
manufacturers who generate substantial public costs share the
financial consequences of their for-profit activity with the
public and obtain licensing to sell, distribute, or import in
Illinois. The proceeds of licensing under this Act are
intended to be distributed within the State for community

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violence intervention, victim services, evidence-based
high-risk youth intervention services, and evidence-based
violence prevention services and must be substantially related
to reducing public costs and harms created by firearm injury.
Section 10. Definitions. In this Act, unless the context
requires otherwise:
"Department" means the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation.
"Destructive device" has the meaning given the term in 18
U.S.C. 921(a)(4).
"Direct costs" means costs incurred for the following:
medical treatment and care; medical devices and prescription
drugs; mental health treatment provided by a psychiatrist,
psychologist, social worker, or behavioral therapist; physical
therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation services;
funeral, burial, and cremation services; emergency
transportation; lost wages; emergency relocation; property
damage; legal services; emergency child or dependent care; or
law enforcement and judicial costs.
"Distributor of firearms" or "distributor" means a person
who supplies firearms to retailers or other businesses that
sell firearms to consumers in this State.
"Evidence-based high-risk youth intervention services" has
the same meaning given to that term in the Reimagine Public
Safety Act.

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"Evidence-based violence prevention services" has the same
meaning given to that term in the Reimagine Public Safety Act.
"Experience rating" means a rating determined by the
Department by rule that correlates with the number of firearms
recovered in a given year in connection with incidents
involving firearm injuries and firearm deaths that are linked
to a specific manufacturer in the State, regardless of the
origin of purchase, taking into account the number of firearm
injuries and firearm deaths associated with each firearm
recovered, regardless of modifications or accessories added to
the firearm after manufacturing, divided by the total number
of firearms recovered in connection with those incidents in
that same year.
"Firearm" means:
(1) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or
is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a
projectile by the action of an explosive;
(2) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(3) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(4) any destructive device.
"Firearm" does not include an antique firearm.
"Firearm death" means the death of a person that is the
direct or proximate result of a high-velocity projectile fired
from a firearm. "Firearm death" includes suicides and
homicides.
"Firearm injury" means a physical, mental, or emotional

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injury to a person that is the direct or proximate result of a
high-velocity projectile fired from a firearm, whether
self-inflicted, accidental, or intentional.
"Firearm trade show" means either (i) a professional
industry event in which firearm manufacturers, firearm
wholesalers, and firearm distributors showcase new firearm
products and firearm-related products, negotiate deals, and
network or (ii) a public event in which federally licensed
dealers and, in some cases, private collectors or private
sellers gather to display and sell firearms, ammunition, and
outdoor gear directly to the general public.
"Importer" means any person that brings one or more
manufactured firearms into the State of Illinois.
"Licensed dealer" means any person engaged in the business
of selling guns for profit and who is legally authorized by
federal and State authorities to manufacture, import, or sell
firearms.
"Manufacturer" means any person engaged in the manufacture
of firearms for purposes of sale or distribution or that holds
a federal firearms license type 6, 7, or 10.
"Organizer of a firearm trade show" means a person
responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing all
aspects of a firearm trade show.
"Pawnbroker" means any person whose business or occupation
includes the taking or receiving by way of pledge or pawn, of
any firearm as security for the payment or repayment of money.

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"Private seller" means a person who makes occasional sales
from the person's personal collection of firearms and is not
required to have a Federal Firearms License.
"Retailer of firearms" or "retailer" means a person that
sells firearms directly to consumers in this State.
"RIFL license" or "license" means a Responsibility in
Firearm Legislation License granted by the Department under
Section 15 of this Act.
"Sponsor of a firearm trade show" means a person that
funds or provides resources for specific parts of a firearm
trade show in exchange for prominent marketing, visibility,
and networking opportunities with industry professionals and
consumers.
"Total annual aggregate fee" means the sum of all license
fees imposed over one year on manufacturers under this Act.
"Tracing" means the systematic tracking of a firearm's
manufacture, distribution, retail sale, and ownership.
Section 15. General powers and duties of the Department.
(a) The Department shall develop and administer the RIFL
Licensing Program.
(a-1) The Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL)
Licensing Program is established in the Department for the
licensing of manufacturers of firearms.
(b) Except as otherwise limited by this Act, the
Department has all of the powers to carry out the purposes and

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provisions of this Act, including, but not limited to:
(1) obtaining and employing personnel and hiring
consultants that are necessary to fulfill the Department's
purposes, and making expenditures for that purpose within
the appropriations for that purpose;
(2) purchasing, receiving, taking by grant, gift,
devise, bequest, or otherwise, lease, or otherwise
acquiring, owning, holding, improving, employing, using,
and otherwise dealing in and with, real or personal
property, whether tangible or intangible, or any interest
therein, within the State;
(3) acquiring real or personal property, whether
tangible or intangible, including, without limitation,
property rights, interests in property, franchises,
obligations, contracts, and debt and equity securities;
(4) selling, conveying, leasing, exchanging,
transferring, abandoning, or otherwise disposing of, or
mortgaging, pledging, or creating a security interest in,
any of its assets, properties, or any interest therein,
wherever situated;
(5) purchasing, taking, receiving, subscribing for, or
otherwise acquiring, holding, making a tender offer for,
voting, disposing of, mortgaging, pledging or granting a
security interest in, using, and otherwise dealing in and
with, bonds and other obligations, shares or other
securities (or interests therein) issued by others,

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whether engaged in a similar or different business or
activity;
(6) making and executing agreements, contracts, and
other instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise
of the powers and functions of the Department under this
Act, including contracts with any person;
(7) lending money, investing and reinvesting its funds
in accordance with the Public Funds Investment Act, and
taking and holding real and personal property as security
for the payment of funds loaned or invested;
(8) borrowing money at such rate or rates of interest
as the Department may determine, issuing its notes, bonds,
or other obligations to evidence that indebtedness, and
securing any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of
its real or personal property, revenues, grants, and other
funds as provided or any interest therein, wherever
situated;
(9) procuring insurance against any loss in connection
with its properties or operations in such amount or
amounts and from such insurers as it may deem necessary or
desirable, and paying any premiums thereof;
(10) entering into management agreements for the
operation of any of the property or facilities owned by
the Department;
(11) maintaining an office or offices at such place or
places in the State as it may determine;

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(12) requesting information, and making any inquiry,
investigation, or study that the Department may deem
necessary to enable it effectively to carry out the
provisions of this Act;
(13) accepting and expending appropriations;
(14) engaging in any activity or operation that is
incidental to and in furtherance of efficient operation to
accomplish the Department's purposes, including hiring
employees that the Department deems essential for the
operations of the Department;
(15) adopting, revising, amending, and repealing rules
with respect to its operations and properties as may be
necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this
Act, subject to the provisions of the Illinois
Administrative Procedure Act;
(16) establishing and collecting charges and fees as
described in this Act; and
(17) implementing and administering this Act.
(c) The personnel, administration, and other costs and
expenses of the Department may only be paid by appropriations
from the RIFL Fund or by appropriations from any other fund.
Any appropriation from the General Revenue Fund or any other
fund besides the RIFL Fund to pay for the personnel,
administration, and other costs and expenses of the Department
shall be reimbursed by transfer from the RIFL Fund at the
direction of the Department.

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Section 20. Responsibility in Firearm Legislation
Licensing Program.
(a) The Responsibility in Firearm Legislation Licensing
Program is established and shall be administered by the
Department.
(b) A manufacturer in this State shall be issued a RIFL
license by the Department upon payment of a fee set by the
Department according to the manufacturer's responsible portion
of the total annual aggregate fee using the manufacturer's
experience rating.
(c) The Department shall maintain a list of all licensed
manufacturers under this Section to be published on the
Department's website.
(d) Retailers, distributors, and importers shall report to
the Department the name of the manufacturer or manufacturers
with whom the retailer, distributor, or importer contracts or
transacts by September 1, 2027, and annually thereafter.
(e) Before commencing the Responsibility in Firearm
Legislation Licensing Program under this Section, and in
accordance with this Act and the Illinois Procurement Code,
the Department shall issue a request for proposals and
contract with an actuarial or economics consulting firm with
experience or expertise to determine each eligible
manufacturer's portion of the initial $50,000,000 total annual
aggregate fee using experience rating as defined in this Act.

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The Department shall annually set fees for a RIFL license
based on the following:
(1) The total annual aggregate fee for all
manufacturers of firearms in this State shall be set by
the Department at an amount that the Department estimates
is equal to no less than 7% and no more than 15% of the
direct costs and financial burdens borne by the State and
its residents as a result of firearm deaths and firearm
injuries occurring in this State, as determined by the
Department based on the incidence of firearm deaths and
firearm injuries in this State in the previous year,
except that in the first program year the total annual
aggregate fee shall be equal to $50,000,000, which is 7%
of the calculated direct expenses of firearm deaths and
firearm injuries in the State of Illinois in calendar year
2024. The Department shall not increase the annual
aggregate percentage of the direct costs assigned to
manufacturers by more than 1.5% per fiscal year.
(2) The total annual aggregate fee for all
manufacturers in this State shall annually thereafter be
adjusted by the Department based on the incidence of
firearm injury and firearm death and related expenses.
(3) The RIFL license fee for each manufacturer shall
be calculated according to the manufacturer's portion of
the total annual aggregate fee using the manufacturer's
experience rating.

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(4) No more than 10% of the annual aggregate fee shall
be appropriated for personnel, administration, and other
costs of the Department, except that in the first year or
any year the Department contracts with an actuarial or
economics consulting firm under this subsection (e), the
percentage of the annual aggregate fee allocated for
personnel, administration, and other costs of the
Department and may be adjusted to cover the costs and
expenses related to the actuarial or economics consulting
firm under this subsection (e).
Costs and expenses of the State related to the actuarial
or economics consulting firm under this subsection (e) shall
either be paid by appropriations from the RIFL Fund or by
appropriations from any other fund. Any appropriation from the
General Revenue Fund or any other fund besides the RIFL Fund to
pay for costs and expenses related to the actuarial or
economics consulting firm shall be reimbursed by transfer from
the RIFL Fund at the direction of the Department.
(f) The Department shall inform each manufacturer of the
amount of the license fee due from the manufacturer and the
description of how the fee was calculated at least 90 days
before the license renewal date.
(g) The Department shall provide manufacturers with an
opportunity to dispute any fees levied for a license under
procedures established by rules adopted by the Department
under this Act.

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(h) The proceeds from all fees under the Responsibility in
Firearm Legislation Licensing Program shall be deposited into
the RIFL Fund established under Section 25 for grants through
the Reimagine Public Safety Act under the Department of Human
Services Office of Firearm Violence Prevention.
(i) Beginning June 19, 2028, a manufacturer may not
operate in this State without a license issued by the
Department under this Act.
(j) Beginning June 19, 2028, a retailer may not sell a
firearm to a consumer in this State from a manufacturer who
does not have a license issued by the Department under this
Act.
(k) Beginning June 19, 2028, an importer may not import
firearms into this State from a manufacturer who does not have
a license issued by the Department under this Act.
(l) Beginning June 19, 2028, a distributor may not
distribute a firearm into this State from a manufacturer who
does not have a license issued by the Department under this
Act.
(m) Beginning June 19, 2028, a licensed dealer,
pawnbroker, private seller, sponsor of a firearm trade show,
or organizer of a firearm trade show may not sell, distribute,
sponsor, or organize to effectuate the selling of firearms in
this State from a manufacturer who does not have a license
issued by the Department under this Act.

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Section 25. RIFL Fund. The RIFL Fund is created as a
special fund in the State treasury. Proceeds from fees imposed
for RIFL licenses under Section 20 of this Act or from fees
imposed under rules adopted under this Act shall be collected
by the Department and deposited into the Fund. Civil penalties
collected under Section 35 shall be deposited into the Fund.
Interest and dividends shall be reinvested into the Fund.
Moneys in the RIFL Fund, as directed by the Department and in
consultation with the Department of Human Services Office of
Firearm Violence Prevention, shall be expended to provide for
grants through the Reimagine Public Safety Act under the
Department of Human Services Office of Firearm Violence
Prevention, for costs, expenses, and reimbursements under
paragraph (4) of subsection (e) of Section 20, and for no other
purpose, except that moneys in the RIFL Fund, as directed by
the Department, may be transferred to reimburse appropriations
from other funds pursuant to subsection (f) of Section 20,
subsection (c) of Section 35, or subsection (e) of Section 20.
Subsections (b) and (c) of Section 5 of the State Finance Act
do not apply to the RIFL Fund.
Section 30. RIFL firearm recovery reporting.
(a) Beginning June 1, 2027, all law enforcement agencies
shall report to the Illinois State Police any firearms
identified by physical recovery or through tracing that
resulted in a firearm injury or firearm death, and shall

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include the manufacturer, and, if available, the serial
number, make, or model of the firearm.
(b) The Illinois State Police shall compile all reports
and provide a report to the Department by December 1, 2027, and
annually thereafter.
(c) The Department shall make available on the
Department's public website the substance of the reports
received under this Section.
(d) The Department, in consultation with the Illinois
State Police, shall, by rule, establish procedures
implementing this Section.
Section 35. Enforcement and penalties.
(a) The State's Attorney of the county where the violation
occurs or the Attorney General may investigate violations of
this Act or rules adopted under this Act and bring civil
actions to enforce this Act or rules adopted under this Act.
Any civil penalty collected under this Act or rules adopted
under this Act shall be deposited into the RIFL Fund.
(b) A manufacturer who violates subsection (i) of Section
20 is subject to a civil penalty of up to $250,000. After 60
days of continuous violation of subsection (i) of Section 20,
the manufacturer shall be prohibited from operating in the
State. A manufacturer is liable for all fees, fines, or other
penalties levied, including any fees, fines, or penalties for
late payment or other fees, fines, or penalties under rules

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adopted by the Department. A license shall not be reinstated
until all outstanding fees, fines, and other penalties are
paid in full. All fines and penalties shall be paid into the
RIFL Fund.
(c) A retailer, distributor, importer, licensed dealer,
private seller, sponsor of a firearm trade show, or organizer
of a firearm trade show who violates subsection (j), (k), (l),
or (m) of Section 20 is subject to a civil penalty of up to
$10,000 per violation. It is an affirmative defense that a
retailer, distributor, importer, licensed dealer, private
seller, sponsor of a firearm trade show, or organizer of a
firearm trade show reasonably relied upon the list of
manufacturers under Section 20 of this Act.
(d) The Department may adopt rules that provide for other
civil penalties for violations of this Act or rules adopted
under this Act of no more than $10,000 per violation for
retailers, distributors, importers, licensed dealers, private
sellers, sponsors of a firearm trade show, or organizers of a
firearm trade show.
(e) The State's Attorney of the county where the violation
occurs or the Attorney General may bring an action for an
equitable or other remedy in a court to enforce this Act or to
prevent a violation of this Act.
(f) If a manufacturer that operates in the State on or
after the effective date of this Act stops operating in the
State for any period of time and stops paying fees under

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Section 20 but then later resumes operating in the State, the
manufacturer must pay all the fees under Section 20 for the
years the manufacturer was not operating in the State or not
paying its annual fees under Section 20.
Section 40. Rulemaking. The Department shall adopt rules
to implement and administer this Act.
Section 90. The State Finance Act is amended by changing
Section 5 and by adding Section 5.1038 as follows:
(30 ILCS 105/5) (from Ch. 127, par. 141)
Sec. 5. Special funds.
(a) There are special funds in the State Treasury
designated as specified in the Sections which succeed this
Section 5 and precede Section 5d.
(b) Except as provided in the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking
and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification
Act and the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation Act, when
any special fund in the State Treasury is discontinued by an
Act of the General Assembly, any balance remaining therein on
the effective date of such Act shall be transferred to the
General Revenue Fund, or to such other fund as such Act shall
provide. Warrants outstanding against such discontinued fund
at the time of the transfer of any such balance therein shall
be paid out of the fund to which the transfer was made.

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(c) Except as provided in the Responsibility in Firearm
Legislation Act, when When any special fund in the State
Treasury has been inactive for 18 months or longer, the
Comptroller may terminate the fund, and the balance remaining
in such fund shall be transferred by the Comptroller to the
General Revenue Fund. When a special fund has been terminated
by the Comptroller as provided in this Section, the General
Assembly shall repeal or amend all Sections of the statutes
creating or otherwise referring to that fund.
The Comptroller shall be allowed the discretion to
maintain or dissolve any federal trust fund which has been
inactive for 18 months or longer.
(d) (Blank).
(e) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 102-904, eff. 1-1-23; 103-266, eff. 1-1-24;
103-616, eff. 7-1-24.)
(30 ILCS 105/5.1038 new)
Sec. 5.1038. The Responsibility in Firearm Legislation
Fund.".