I hear you. Hang in there. A distant and younger relative of mine applied for a CCL Permit as well, and it has been taking a long time. I worry about my relative, living and working in a high-violence area, to be closer to his family and take care of his ailing mother. I saved up and got him what I dubbed a safety kit, which includes some non-lethal, other somewhat lethal but legal tools, while he awaits his license.
I wouldn’t know if it’s related, but I heard that IL was the last state to make “carry” legal. One of my own trainers felt that when IL did, that when you compare it to other state laws, IL was fairly broad and encompassing with the freedom or rights. Although today’s wait time, not so good.
Although there have been a few other posts somewhat related to this subject, one of my personal favorites was this one:
Best to you.