Illinois State Police say more than 91,000 concealed-carry permits have been issued statewide since the state began allowing guns to be carried in public a year ago.
State police say 91,651 permits had been granted by the end of 2014.
Cook County, which includes Chicago, led the way with almost 24,000 permits, or more than one-quarter of Illinois’ total. Will County was a distant second, with 6,134.
Nearly 5,600 permits were issued in DuPage County and 4,252 were issued in Lake County.
Illinois in 2013 became the last state in the nation to sign off on allowing concealed carry.
State police say the number of permits issued last year in Illinois peaked at about 18,000 in March and April before sharply declining. Last month, about 5,000 permits were approved.
The state denied more than 2,300 applications.
Here are the 10 counties with the most permits.
1. Cook, 23,921
2. Will, 6,134
3. DuPage, 5,577
4. Lake, 4,252
5. Madison, 3,301
6. Kane, 2,873
7. St. Clair, 2,642
8. McDonough, 2,555
8. Winnebago, 2,141
9. Sangamon, 2,081
10. Tazewell, 1,916
Associated Press