Don’t stop in Illinois with firearms. If you are traveling from state to state and carrying, you need to know the situation in each state you are entering or you could get into trouble. For certain states or if you have any doubt at all, keeping moving through the state (reference the McClure-Volkmer Act to only stop for gas and emergencies) towards your final destination state. Your destination state must have acceptable laws for your stay. We make some generalities with our color map here for ease of use so you should always look up the current details of the laws. Handgun laws are where it usually varies the most. This is a controversial issue but which ever side you are on, it is better to have informed people out there. You can also download an easy to print version with all states and details.
Illinois Gun Law Travel Guide Basics
Ownership: restricted, special FOID card needed (Firearms Owner ID Act)
Consistency of laws: local laws, about three dozen of them
Self-defense: NO castle doctrine
Open carry: prohibited
Concealed carry: prohibited
Vehicle carry handguns: handguns banned in the city, nonresidents passing through fall under “Not immediately accessible” or unloaded and cased in trunk or outside storage
Vehicle carry long guns: as above, unloaded and cased in trunk or outside storage
Official source information
Firearm Owner ID Act
Illinois Statutes
Illinois Legislature
Illinois State Rifle Association
Illinois Carry
Champaign County Rifle Association
Illinois Pro Second Amendment Resolution
Illinois State Home Page
Do you have any experiences in Illinois that you care to share with other travelers?
I got multiple handguns and i reside in wyoming. I am visiting family in illinois would it be against the law to have my guns with me while im there?
I live in Mo five miles from IL and yes Illinois has some of the strictest gun laws in the country! When traveling through I keep my gun inside its case in the trunk and my ammo in my locked glove box!