Illinois has a few extra steps for becoming a gun owner vs other states, but there are no special or extra steps if you live in Chicago or Cook County. Before 2013, Chicago used to have a Chicago Firearm Permit process, but that is now gone, and the gun registration is also gone.
On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-1116 Opens in new window , the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act). The Act regulates the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. The Act went into effect immediately upon signing.
With a Concealed Carry License (CCL) you can have a firearm in your vehicle locked, loaded and ready to go. You can have it on you in a holster, concealed or open. You could have it sitting on the seat next to you, or even under the seat.
Anyone who is found to be illegally in possession of a handgun is guilty of a Class 4 felony and can be punished by jail time for one to three years, a fine of up to $25,000, or both.
COMPLETE the online application for a CCL. There are also options for submitting paper applications as well as a phone-in method (217-782-7980). Optional: An applicant is not required to submit fingerprints with the application.
Unless specifically exempted by statute, any Illinois resident who acquires or possesses firearms, firearm ammunition, a stun gun or a taser within the state of Illinois must have in their possession a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card or Illinois Concealed Carry License (ILCCL) issued in their name.