TexasCHLforum.com

I'm going to have to drive through Illinois during our trip north to visit family for Christmas. It's way too far to go around. I have read on several sites the Illinois intolerance for firearms. I'll be taking along my Glock and Remington shotgun. Under the federal travel laws, lacking a permit recognized by the state, I'll need to have the guns in a locked container, unloaded, and inaccessible.

Am I required to have the guns in a hard case? I currently only have a soft case for the shotgun which I can padlock. Is that enough?

The statues only state it has to be unloaded and cased, but does mention zippers, so sounds like a soft case is OK. Better if you can lock it. Watch out for local ordinances though, they can override the state laws. Here is a good FAQ on Illinois law from the state:

http://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/ptfire.pdf

EDIT: Also, the transport of ammunition is really sketchy without an FOID card (only issued to state residents.) You might want to make sure it is locked up in a suitcase seperate from the firearm just in case you get searched.

If you aren't stopping in Illinois (other than things like gas), then the federal transportation laws apply. If it is unloaded with ammo stored separate and in a case, you are okay. That doesn't mean that the local cops will know and/or respect the federal law though...

Do not enter Cook County (the county that Chicago is in) with a handgun. It's a felony in most of that area.

Illinois cities and counties can create their own felony offenses, and many towns have handgun bans. AFAIK they are all in the Chicago area, but I haven't set foot there for more than 6 years.

You should be OK if you stay on interstates and obey trafffic laws. The state police have a reputation as straight shooters (if you'll excuse the expression). Have a safe trip.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:Do not enter Cook County (the county that Chicago is in) with a handgun. It's a felony in most of that area.

As long as you are just passing through and not stopping, you are still covered by federal law.

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Federal/Read.aspx?id=59

Notwithstanding any state or local law, a person shall be entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess it to any other place where he may lawfully possess such firearm if the firearm is unloaded and in the trunk. In vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Necessary stops, like gasoline and rest, seem permissible.

Kalrog wrote:

seamusTX wrote:Do not enter Cook County (the county that Chicago is in) with a handgun. It's a felony in most of that area.

As long as you are just passing through and not stopping, you are still covered by federal law.

You should be, but you might need a lawyer to convince a judge of that. IMHO, it's not worth the risk.

A friend of mine went to the range and then to his girlfriend's house. He was stopped on the way home, late at night, with a .22 pistol in his trunk. He was busted for a weapons violation that took a lot of time and money to sort out, even though he had done nothing illegal (this was in a county adjacent to Cook). That's just the way it is there.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:Do not enter Cook County (the county that Chicago is in) with a handgun. It's a felony in most of that area.

- Jim

Fortunately I'll be on I-70 all the way, with probably a food/gas/bathroom stop or two. Illinois is the first place we encounter a Steak'n'Shake, so that's a typical stop. Nowhere near Cook county.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll put the Glock in it's hard case with padlock and stick a lock on the soft shotgun case and bury it under the luggage (5 of us traveling, so it'll be buried deep!). Maybe put the ammo in the car-top carrier.

Much appreciated gang!

I70 crosses IL from St. Louis to Indianapolis.

In that part of IL they hardly even know where Chicago is and they are much more gun friendly. The ISRA has a campaign going, right now, for the various counties in IL to declare their support for the Second Amendment http://www.pro2aresolution.com/ and all but one of the counties along the I70 corrider have done so.

Zero_G wrote:

seamusTX wrote:Do not enter Cook County (the county that Chicago is in) with a handgun. It's a felony in most of that area.

- Jim

Fortunately I'll be on I-70 all the way, with probably a food/gas/bathroom stop or two. Illinois is the first place we encounter a Steak'n'Shake, so that's a typical stop. Nowhere near Cook county.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll put the Glock in it's hard case with padlock and stick a lock on the soft shotgun case and bury it under the luggage (5 of us traveling, so it'll be buried deep!). Maybe put the ammo in the car-top carrier.

Much appreciated gang!

Yep, I'm from Effingham County and you'll be passing through there. You will have to put it in a case, hard/soft, doesn't matter. Ammo does can be in the same case as long as the gun is unloaded. The guns do not have to be locked.

I know some officers in that area and most of the time, as long as your not confrontational, they don't even look at the guns because MO is CCW and they can have loaded long guns in the vehicle and Indiana is CCW. If they do ask and you inform them that it is loaded, you will most likely be asked to unload it and put it in the trunk until you are out of the state.

There is a Steak 'N Shake at exit 160 in Effingham, if Renee still works there, tell her I said "Hi".

seamusTX wrote:Do not enter Cook County (the county that Chicago is in) with a handgun. It's a felony in most of that area.

Illinois cities and counties can create their own felony offenses, and many towns have handgun bans. AFAIK they are all in the Chicago area, but I haven't set foot there for more than 6 years.

You should be OK if you stay on interstates and obey trafffic laws. The state police have a reputation as straight shooters (if you'll excuse the expression). Have a safe trip.

- Jim

I really have to reconsider going to grad school up in Chicago...how am I supposed to protect myself in the Southern part of the city? UG!

dukesean wrote:I really have to reconsider going to grad school up in Chicago...how am I supposed to protect myself in the Southern part of the city? UG!

I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and lived there until I was 27.

The main defense is situational awareness. Trouble often advertises itself from a distance.

Pepper spray is legal in Chicago (or I should say it was when I followed these things).

People who are on the street a lot usually carry a throw-down wallet with a small amount of money in it. I gave one up in a robbery once -- the only time I was robbed.

Avoiding being a target by not having expensive an jacket, shoes, a watch, a laptop, etc., also helps.

These latter steps should be repugnant to a free people, but I would rather be practical.

Are you talking U of C? I spent a lot of time in that neighborhood and had no trouble.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:
Are you talking U of C? I spent a lot of time in that neighborhood and had no trouble.

- Jim

Thanks for the advice, and yea I am referring to the U of Chicago - actually I have my business school admissions interview up there next weekend. Maybe the bark that I hear is worse than the bite, but I would definitely feel better if I was allowed to carry. Situational awareness only gets you so far...

dukesean wrote:Thanks for the advice, and yea I am referring to the U of Chicago - actually I have my business school admissions interview up there next weekend.

Congratulations on getting that far, and good luck. Send me a PM if you want to talk more about Chicago.

- Jim

awww geez....a shooting in Illinois...