Illinois Concealed Carry Permit Information

Click here to view the Illinois Concealed Carry Permit Map at the bottom of the page.

Concealed Permit:
Illinois does not issue concealed weapon permits. Possession of a firearm or ammunition generally requires an Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) which does not allow you to carry concealed.

Open Carry:
Prohibited in all public areas.

Vehicle Carry:
There is more than one way to legally transport a firearm. However, in order to be in compliance with all statutes, it is recommended all firearms be transported:

  1. Unloaded,
  2. Enclosed in a case and,
  3. By persons who have a valid FOID card.

Non- residents must be legally eligible to possess or acquire firearms and ammunition in their state of residence. It is recommended that, in order to be in compliance with all statutes, non-residents transport all firearms:

  • Unloaded, and
  • Enclosed in a case, and
  • Not immediately accessible or broken down in a nonfunctioning state.
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  • shiracheta

    Being an Iowa carry permit holder who frequently goes to Chicago for the weekend I hate that they don’t allow carry of any kind. And seeing that Chicago has some of the worst gang related violence in the Midwest I would really like to see Illinois residents able to carry to protect themselves.

    • Project Dawg

      Well there is good news I guess. chicago has a CFP Chicago firearms permit. Which allows residents of chicago to have handguns on their property. It cost 100 dollars for 3 years and you must also register your gun for 15 dollars for life.(One time fee)

      As far as CCW goes. Not quite yet. We need it here I agree.

      • Kingdingaling75

        I believe the $15 firearm reg. fee is yearly.

    • Skylineinvestigations

      I am a NRA firearm insturctor and Private Investigator in illinois and I can’t carry conceal
      they need to pass this bill, the gangs will always have guns so why can’t we.

    • Mikeburch73

      you can carry your gun if it in a fanny pack gun case unloaded , it takes longer to get your gun out ( 6 seconds ) and loaded but u can still carry it.

  • Auvilj

    Why punish all of Illinois,aprove conceal carry for Illinois south of the Cook county Line, how easy is that,they don’t want it don’t give it ti them(Dug!!!!!) no brainer

  • gene

    LETS ALL GET TOGETHER AND SHOW THESE POLITICAL GANGSTERS THE DOOR COME NEXT ELECTION.   WHAT DO YOU SAY.

    • JanuaryWinter

      Agreed!

  • zeke

    Why doesn’t Quinn need armed body guards with him? Chicago doesn’t allow people to carry guns, so why does he have to have armed guards? Maybe because the only people carrying are criminals.
    Throw Quinn and Cook County out of Illinois as they give us a bad name.

  • zeke

    Why doesn’t Quinn need armed body guards with him? Chicago doesn’t allow people to carry guns, so why does he have to have armed guards? Maybe because the only people carrying are criminals.
    Throw Quinn and Cook County out of Illinois as they give us a bad name.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000713763947 Jaysen McDermith

      they allow politicians to ccw in illinois especially in crook county… its just citizens that cant

    • Mike

      I HEARD THAT!

    • ed

      better yet make Chicago its own state,and let Quinn go with it.

  • Ralphieboi123

    That’s some bullshit I’m so tired of Illinois I’ve been living here all my life which is 32 years by the way! It’s so mess up in Illinois that If someone breaks in your home and try to harm you and you defend your self in your own home you’ll mess around and get more time then the criminal that broke in to your home!!!!!! The governor and the Mayor of Chicago doesn’t want law biding citizens to have a weapon for self defense! but they have armed bodyguards with them every where they go so their safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But ordinary law abiding citizens are at harms way every day with out no way to protect our selves!!!!!!!

    • Mike

      I hear ya, man.  In Iowa we voted out alot of the commie pinko left wing Obamacrats last November. Hope to dump the rest of them in 2012.  I don’t get the foolhearty mindset of those those who oppose “responsible” gun ownership. They can make all the laws they want to (hindering and disabling the law abiding citizens like yourself) but they’ll NEVER get “illegal” guns out of the hands of felons who want to harm YOU, your family and your property.  I imagine your criminal population will actually grow as the bad guys flee a “gun toter” state to where it is safer to do business….ILLINOIS.  No longet the “LAND of LINCOLN”. It is now the “LAND OF THE WEAK AND DEFENSELESS”….

    • Augy

      Your statement is NOT true. While concealed carry is not allowed in IL yet, it is legal to defend yourself with a firearm on your own property if your life is in danger. A justified shoot is just about the same everywhere – you must be at risk for being killed or seriously injured by an intruder. Generally, most states do not recognize the right to take a life if someone is just stealing your microwave oven…however if that person pulls a weapon when confronted it is legal to defend yourself. Basically, the same restrictions apply to both civilian self defense shoots and police shoots. Even in states that allow concealed carry it is not a license to shoot anyone, only the option to defend yourself if your life is seriously in danger.

      – Retired police officer of 30 years
      Lifelong Illinois resident
      Avid hunter and gun enthusiast

      • Abby_3_8

        Nice post but you can carry in IL. Because you was a cop! How about the rest of the good people in IL. Do they not have the right to protect them self’s every where like you retired cops?????????? 

        • Jd

          Even retired cops are not allowed to carry in IL. Their carry permission ends when their employment ends. That is how bad IL’s laws are for this.

      • Justin

        While I agree with you that you can protect yourself in your own home, that doesn’t help when you leave your house.  That is the problem.  Criminals carry guns outside of their homes and law abiding citizens cannot.  The result: criminals can commit crimes easier because they know the average law abiding citizen will not be carrying a gun.  If you were a police officer then you were fortunate enough to be able to carry a gun in public.  But an average Illinois law abiding citizen is at a disadvantage.  The rest of us are defenseless.  And part of the reason why the Illinois doesn’t allow CCW is because the politicians and media put such a bad spin on guns.  These groups of people have brainwashed Illinoisans into thinking guns are bad.  But given the statistics of shootings and deaths related to gun violence in Illinois, their strategy is not working.  As I said before, the criminals will continue to carry guns because they are criminals and don’t care what the law says.  Laws will only affect the people who follow them, plain and simple. 

  • Patriot

    It’s pretty simple.  Move out of Illinois.  I was offered a higher paying job in the Chicago area but took a lower paying job in Omaha just to avoid the liberal stinkhole.

  • LEON

    I HAVE A KY CCDW LICENCE AND IT SUCKS TO HAVE TO LEAVE MY GUN AT HOME JUST BECAUSE I STOP IN ILLINOIS. GET THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OUT OF OFFICE  AND START EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO PROTECT YOUR SELF & FAMILY. COPS CAN’T BE EVERYWHERE.

  • Justin Lewsader

    I’m an Indiana resident with an IN carry permit and live on the state line of IN/IL and frequently go across to IL. I hate the idea of being unprotected by a lawful carry law when some of the neighborhoods I go near have shootings, etc. and I KNOW these people don’t even possess FOID cards!! ALL states should at least honor the carrier’s resident state’s permit!

  • Anonymous

    AHHHHH, everyday I look to see if there is any news on the Illinois lawsuits. Why the heck do they need over three weeks to determine that the communist state is infringing on the people rights to keep and BEAR arms? 

    I’m no lawyer but seems pretty clear that “shall not be infringed” is pretty clear. The founding fathers realized that the right to keep and bear arms gives the people the ability to protect the other rights. Thats why the 2nd amendment is so strongly typed, not even the first amendment has a shall not be infringed line to it.I am not from Illinois and don’t even travel there so I have no vested interest in this other then to see my fellow Americans have the means in which to defend themselves.

    I know im preaching to the choir here so I will stop ranting, just wanted to get this off my chest.

    • Scrubs777

      F’n A… it”s not just about one state…our forefathers made the bill and the polititians claim to stick to it but everything they do is against it. STOP F’n with our rights or go somewhere else you can do that… like F’n fantasy land cause it ain’t happening here in the states…..at least it shouldn’t be…whats next….freedom of religion…..Oh thats right…..that ones already gone unless you follow the correct code of conduct. You have all the freedom you want…if your muslim or something else…but F the Christians…they only based the whole constitution and structure of government on that, soon to be, useless paper. Stop killing trees at least ya bastards. 

  • Fishiin67

    Its bullshit!!!!!!  i agree keep cook county out of the loop if thats what they want! down south where i live, you had better believe if i need to make a trip into the city or any where near it. i have a weapon close by.

  • Weekender250

    When crooks run the state you would’nt expect anything less. I have a Utah carry permit so when I travel I can carry legaly. I carry my firearm everyday regardless of what the dumb ass CROOKS of this crapy state say. Its my right and if I get arestted because of it so be it. I will fight it in court if the law is on our side then I should have no problem in court. I will be damned if my family or me is gonna be a victim of a crime I could have stopped, I won’t bend over for Illinois or the criminals.

    • Tigerdriver

      I feel the same way brother, I would sooner be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

  • Rn1844

    I left Ill when I turned 18, never lived there again. I do carry in Ill. What are they going to do, take my pass away and send me to Viet Nam, the war is over.

  • Mark26

    Our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves!  How pussified has our nation become to allow the government to make us pay them money to be able to carry our firearms.  The constitutional 2nd amendment was set up for the American people to be able to keep GOVERNMENT at bay.  I’m proud to be an American and wouldn’t want to ever live anywhere else but I get disgusted when I see what we have let Government get away with!  Illinois, with or without a CCW, from my cold dead hands!  IT IS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Blake

    Is it true that one may live in IL and go to another state and get a permit that will enable him to carry everywhere else except IL?

    • Sgt Bear74

      Not every state. You can get a nonresident permit in Florida, and Utah. But be sure to look up what states are covered by these permits. The do not work in all states. Some states wont even recognize a nonresident permit, so be careful. If you do receive a permit, please, follow the rules…. 

  • Mike

    “Lemme Get this straight”: Illinois is basically telling its citizens “You are NOT allowed to protect yourself, your family nor your property if a criminal act is brought against you”. “You are to be reduced to the status of a rape or mugging victim without recourse”. It is hard for me to believe that the residents of Illinois allow such narrow minded, liberal thinking to dominate their state. Our Iowa criminals may all be running for the Illinois border where they know there will be no oppostion or chance of being wounded or killed by a prepared citizen. Illinois is going to force otherwise law abiding citizens  to become “law breakers” by secretly purchasing guns to protect themselves.

  • http://twitter.com/machinestate Who F. Cares

    i lived in south chicago for awhile, i sure heard alot of guns.  ALOT of guns.  statistically, very few if any of those gunshots were cases of self-defense, castle doctrine etc.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-H-Sims/1053870342 Michael H. Sims

      Boy do i miss that emblem on your profile. It used to be on the side of my company truck. Thats what happens when most of the population of a state lives in a big city. Cities breed destruction of family values and morals. most big cities are ridden with crime, poverty, and welfare. I was recently offered a job with CN in chicago, the said they coouldn’t find anyone qualified there.

  • 1021Jarhead

    So Indiana residents who have ccw can transport in the state of Il. as long as it is locked away??

    • Weston

      You would need a valid FOID to be in full compliance, and you can only get that as an Illinois resident.  Broken down, locked up in separate containers, and in the trunk is the safest way, but strictly speaking is still not in full compliance with the law.

      If an officer is poking around in your trunk, he’s either got a warrant or is searching in relation to an arrest, so you’re already boned.

  • T………..

    Here in Illinois a person has to have a FOID card to buy or posses a tazer or stun gun but it also falls under the concealed weapon law.  Now seriously,  how is anyone supposed to protect their self?  When seconds count the police are hours away!

    • Tcb737

      The individual needs to be (put down) when a weapon is produced in a threatening manner or the person (truly) feels that they are about to die, Then and only then should an individual fire those two to three rounds to upper body mass. Anyone who violates deserves the shame and prosicution from the law enforcement agency who have to do their job for their inappropriate use of deadly force.

  • justin

    i am an indiana resident that frequently visits the chicago area. my father lives in chicago and when i travel to visit him i usually go through some “not so friendly” towns. if its dark outside while i travel though those towns it definately gets my nerves worked up n makes me wanna get the hell outta there. i dont understand why illinois wont allow both law-abiding residents and non residents to carry. i know if im sitting at a stoplight in one of these towns and its midnight, i would feel alot more at ease if i had my 9mm by my side. then i would also be more willing to visit more often thus spending more $ in that state, thus boosting their economy. idk, i just think illinois needs to do some thinking about the issue and revise their laws!

  • curtis

    Illinois as a whole isn’t a bad state. if it wasn’t for cook county it would be a great place to live. I don’t know how the whole state can let one county control a whole state 

  • Twk

    this being one of the last states still in the dark  needs to get back to reality.
    state is all ways broke and taxing people to death limiting your rights in a varity of ways will not get on all faults this state has but they need to get on the wagon with other states so states that can carry is not a problem when they come here and bring more money to this state or make them fill
    like there are at there mother inlaws just joke IT IS OUR RIGHTS not just the politicians choices
    so law makers turn the light on because your people what to see

  • Jaco John

    this is against our constitution, 

  • Mike280

    The constitution states that all citizens can bare arms.  If you’re in your house, or openly carry guns in public that’s fine.  I don’t think the founding fathers thought ahead to address the issue of a 20 round clip in a gun hidden in your coat. 
    Guns don’t prevent crime, people prevent crime.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/OOKK3KBK7M2DX5OKOV7ODZ3QTA Jay

      Clip? Who makes a 20 round clip? I think you meant to say magazine. Get some education before you comment. And you’re wrong, if honest people have guns criminals think twice before commiting a crime.

      • Mike280

        That’s purely semantics, it’s like saying, that’s not a gun, it’s a rifle.  Clip or magazine are used interchangeably, and that doesn’t detract from the main point.

        • ed

          tell me what is the differance between a clip and a magazine ? You can say either one you want,but I guess someone wants to have ppl. say it their way.

  • DKAL

    I’m a Missouri CCW Permit holder and will be flying from STL to SC with a connecting flight in IL at Midway. My permit is good in SC and the airline will allow me to check my bag with a secured and locked firearm. I will not be handling my luggage in IL so I am wondering if I will get in trouble if I pass through on a flight. Does anyone know the Rules and Regulations if I’m only flying through?

  • SPU

    A buddy just moved to Chicago and I plan to visit next year on my motorcycle. I have two CC permits allowing carry in 32 states but in Illinois I have to break down my CC and lock it in a case separate from ammo??? Am I reading that right? Am I allowed to keep it legally for a couple dayslike that locked up, or is that only for people driving through the state? For example, if I get a motel room for a couple days can I leave the broken down (and locked up) gun in the room with my stuff? I don’t want to leave it on my bike.

  • ChemJet

    Really? It is aggravating as can be, just listening to you folks not being able to exercise your 2nd amendment rights. I could not live in such a communist state. I feel for all of you. Fellow brothers and sisters, voting is the key. Just like one of the other posts read, vote them out again in 2012. In Indiana, getting a license to carry is not a shoe in, but for us law abiding and non-felon citizens, it is painless at about $30 for 4 years or $75 for a lifetime license. Our state allows the license holder to even decide to carry in plain view or concealed, because it is a carry permit. Of course, this state is predominantly conservative, or non-communist that is. 2012 election is just around the corner. VOTE VOTE VOTE….I wish you all well.

  • ChemJet

    I am sure our founding fathers could not fathom a repeating firearm, let alone one whose magazine holds a 5 round clip….20rd mag..etc… true. Compared to firearms today, even pistols back then were sizes of cannons, and not so concealable. Point being is that their intention was to ensure that every citizen was guaranteed the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones, so that they could thwart off an attack from a “criminal”.

    You know the saying, “if firearms are taken from the law abiding citizens, then only the criminals will possess firearms.” This is exactly what our founding fathers were trying to prevent. This is not about “preventing crime”. This is about the right to protect ones self, loved ones and property.

    What the libs want to do is control, control, control every freakin aspect of our lives, including using ignorant excuses like “prevent crime” for their ulterior motive, which is control. Liberals actually profess that firearms commit the crimes. Really? 

    Most violent crimes are committed by convicted felons, who cannot legally possess a firearm at all, and when they do, sometimes they possess firearms that are restricted to law enforcement, gov’t and those who have a federal firearms permit (which costs upwards of a few thousand buckaroos). 

    I am sorry sir, but guns do prevent crime, in the hands of upstanding, responsible, law abiding citizens…..yes, they most certainly do. Better to have one and not ever need it, because it only takes one time……to need it…..and not have it. As long as criminals have firearms….so will I….and I don’t see crime going down anytime soon…..VOTE….VOTE…VOTE…

    For those who voted this communist, muslim into the Presidency because you wanted to prove you are not racist….I get it, you wanted “change”….I challenge you to now prove you are not stupid and vote him out of office.

  • TCB737

    EACH AND EVERY ILLINOIS LAW MAKER IS TRULY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR EVIL, NON-AMERICAN, AND SHAMEFUL DISRESPECT AND DISHONOR OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE U.S. FOR THEIR IGNORANCE OF THEIR CITIZENS RIGHTS TO (KEEP AND BEAR ARMS), (IF THEY CHOOSE TO DO SO).

    • http://www.facebook.com/llarsen89 Luke Larsen

      ‎”All laws which are repugnant to the Constitution, are null and void.” Chief Justice Marshall, Marbury v. Madison, 5, U.S. (Cranch) 137, 174,176

  • http://twitter.com/unsystematic Sean

    WHEN is Illinois going to join the rest of the Country and embrace ALL of the Constitution?

    • http://www.facebook.com/llarsen89 Luke Larsen

      ‎”The general misconception is that any statute passed by legislators bearing the appearance of law constitutes the law of the land. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and any statue, to be valid, must be in agreement. It is impossible for both the Constitution and a law violating it to be valid; one must prevail. This is succinctly stated as follows: The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute, though having the form and name of law, is in reality no law, but is wholly void, and ineffective for any purpose; since unconstitutionality dates from the time of its enactment, and not merely from the date of the decision so branding it. An unconstitutional law, in legal contemplation, is as inoperative as if it had never been passed. Such a statute leaves the question that it purports to settle just as it would be had the statute not been enacted.” “Since an unconstitutional law is void, the general principals follow that it imposes no duties, confers no rights, creates no office, bestows no power or authority on anyone, affords no protection, and justifies no acts performed under it…. A void act cannot be legally consistent with a valid one. An unconstitutional law cannot operate to supersede any existing valid law. Indeed, insofar as a statute runs counter to the fundamental law of the land, it superseded thereby. No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it.” Sixteenth American Jurisprudence, Second Edition, Section 177. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/llarsen89 Luke Larsen

    ‎”The general misconception is that any statute passed by legislators bearing the appearance of law constitutes the law of the land. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and any statue, to be valid, must be in agreement. It is impossible for both the Constitution and a law violating it to be valid; one must prevail. This is succinctly stated as follows: The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute, though having the form and name of law, is in reality no law, but is wholly void, and ineffective for any purpose; since unconstitutionality dates from the time of its enactment, and not merely from the date of the decision so branding it. An unconstitutional law, in legal contemplation, is as inoperative as if it had never been passed. Such a statute leaves the question that it purports to settle just as it would be had the statute not been enacted.” “Since an unconstitutional law is void, the general principals follow that it imposes no duties, confers no rights, creates no office, bestows no power or authority on anyone, affords no protection, and justifies no acts performed under it…. A void act cannot be legally consistent with a valid one. An unconstitutional law cannot operate to supersede any existing valid law. Indeed, insofar as a statute runs counter to the fundamental law of the land, it superseded thereby. No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it.” Sixteenth American Jurisprudence, Second Edition, Section 177. — PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS, WAKE THE F*CK UP AND DEFEND YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!

  • http://www.facebook.com/llarsen89 Luke Larsen

    ‎”All laws which are repugnant to the Constitution, are null and void.” Chief Justice Marshall, Marbury v. Madison, 5, U.S. (Cranch) 137, 174,176

  • http://www.facebook.com/llarsen89 Luke Larsen

    “Our Bill of Rights curbs all three branches of government. It subjects all departments of government to a rule of law and sets boundaries beyond which no official may go. It emphasizes that in this country man walks with dignity and without fear, that he need not grovel before an all powerful government.” Justice William O. Douglas, U.S. Supreme Court.

  • Crazy13

    I have to go to Chicago for business.  Have my concealed carry in KY.  Even if I can’t carry concealed (which I may risk away), I want to have my gun with me.  Does anyone know if carry it the way this article says is legal?

    • http://www.facebook.com/llarsen89 Luke Larsen

      If i was in your position, id carry it anyways. Read my last post, passed by the US Supreme court. Even if there are laws that have been passed, if they are unconstitutional, as this IL gun laws are. The US Constitution (the supreme law of the land) will supersede any unconstitutional laws. If your willing to fight for your rights, carry it either way and bring this to the Supreme court if they try to arrest you.

  • Thoytster

    Does carrying a gun in your vehicle unloaded in a center console considered legal?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Edwards/100000309565905 Steve Edwards

    illinois is the designated piece of shit state. if the govenor could figure out how to make himself a huge profit on the conceal carry,then it would pass

  • Aboxalarm2

    well pike county illinois has issued ccw permits 

  • Nonails

    I would accept open carry at this point.  My job requires me to go into bad neighborhoods on a daily
    bases.  I have done this for over 25 years.  I have a F.O.I.D. card and I am an NRA certified RSO and Shotgun Instructor. I carry anyway.  I believe that I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.

  • Deanl1002

    I am from Penna…and any time i travel west I avoid the communist state of Illinois at all costs…I don’t care if is 100 miles or more..I will not set foot in that repressive state.. or more importantly spend any money there.. just as I do do the other repressive states like new jersey and new york in the east…there needs to be a serious boycot orginized of these communist states that deny our freedoms..they will certainly pay attention to millions of people “not” spending money …these liberal idiots ..we could make them “howl”
    I don’t know much about Illinois but I am will to wager that the rich… and the fat cats.. have found a way to legally carry while denying the right to the average working joe…much the same as they do in new york..oh yes…the affulent in nyc have no problems getting a permit…you just try!
    People in these states have to get orginazed… and flush these turds down the toilet..or things will never change
    if they can deny your second admendment rights…hell…why not the entire bill of rights

  • Moonangel Jallad

    So if I am traveling from Ohio through Illinois to say Oklahoma, I need to make sure I am “unloaded, it’s in a case & not easily accessible & that I have a valid ccw for My State of residence,correct?”

    • Deanl1002

      better yet avoid the sate of illinois…if you can’t… the best advise is to seperate the gun and the ammo ..both in locked cases… in the trunk…and avoid stopping or getting off the interstate if at all possible

      • Moonangel Jallad

        Thanks for the advice, setting a new course for travel. Hard enough to get the ccw,let alone have some other state possibly get it taken away from me.

  • jawman

    There is a right to carry here in Illinois. We were born with it. The state has stolen it from us. 
    It is not a privilege, it is a right. The state does not grant rights. We are born with them.This is why we are in the mess we find ourselves in right now. We are of the mindset that our rights are granted by the government and that if they (the state) choose to bestow them upon us, then we are priveleged. If not, then we do not need or deserve them. We need to free our minds of this conditioning! As long as we think that the state is doing us a “favor” by “granting” us a right, we will get nowhere. Remember, the power is supposed to reside with the people, not the government. The police carry guns because they are doing the will of the state. The citizen cannot because somewhwere along the way, he has relinquished his birthright to the state. We need to get away from this kind of mindset. I know that is the reality we now face, but wrong is wrong, no matter how you slice it.