Illinois has significant carry restrictions, and the legal landscape has shifted substantially since the 2022 Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. New legislation, court rulings, and injunctions continue to affect what is currently enforceable. This page provides a general overview only — verify the current status of any specific provision with Illinois State Police or a licensed Illinois attorney before relying on it.
Illinois carry status overview
Illinois requires a FOID Card + Concealed Carry License (CCL) to carry a concealed handgun, issued by Illinois State Police. Illinois requires BOTH a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card AND a separate Concealed Carry License (CCL) — a two-step process unique among states. The CCL requires 16 hours of mandatory training, among the most extensive in the country. Chicago has historically had additional local restrictions.
| Concealed carry | FOID Card + Concealed Carry License (CCL) required |
| Governing law | 430 ILCS 66 (Firearm Concealed Carry Act) |
| Issuing authority | Illinois State Police |
| Open carry | Prohibited statewide720 ILCS 5/24-1 — applies everywhere, to licensees and non-licensees alike. A CCL authorises concealed carry only |
| Vehicle carry | Strict requirements — verify current rules |
| Post-Bruen changes | Yes — significant sensitive-location and process changes since 2022 |
Illinois honours no permit from anywhere — and the vehicle exception has a catch
Illinois has no reciprocity of any kind. Not limited, not partial. No out-of-state carry permit authorises carry here. The only route for a non-resident is an Illinois non-resident CCL under 430 ILCS 66/40, open only to residents of states the Illinois State Police has designated “substantially similar.” That list is set by ISP rule and changes — check with ISP rather than a third-party list.
The vehicle exception is where people get caught. A non-resident may carry a concealed firearm inside their own vehicle if they are eligible to carry publicly in their home state. But eligibility is evidenced by holding a permit. So if your home state issues permits and you do not have one — because your state also allows permitless carry and you never bothered — the exception does not cover you. A permitless carrier from a permit-issuing state must transport unloaded and cased, exactly like someone with no rights at all. Store it in a locked vehicle or container whenever the vehicle is unattended.
Two credentials, not one. Illinois residents need a FOID card simply to possess a firearm or ammunition, and a separate CCL to carry. Non-residents do not need a FOID. And note the 2023 Protect Illinois Communities Act, which added a state assault-weapons ban and magazine limits of 10 rounds for long guns and 15 for handguns — upheld by the Seventh Circuit in Bevis v. Naperville.
Applying for a permit
Apply through Illinois State Police. Be prepared for a more involved process than in most other states — additional documentation, longer processing times, and in some cases an in-person interview may be required. Training requirements are typically more extensive than in shall-issue states.
Application info: https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/CCL.aspx ↗
Sensitive locations (post-Bruen)
Following the 2022 Bruen decision, Illinois enacted expanded "sensitive location" restrictions that prohibit carry — even with a valid permit — in a substantially wider range of places than before. Categories commonly include:
- Government buildings and courts
- Schools and educational institutions (K–12 and higher ed)
- Healthcare facilities
- Public transit
- Places of worship (unless authorized)
- Bars and establishments serving alcohol
- Public parks and gathering places (varies)
- Polling places
- Private property, unless affirmatively authorized by the owner — verify. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's version of this default rule in Wolford v. Lopez (June 25, 2026). Whether this state has such a rule, and whether it survives that decision, has not been independently verified here.
These categories are illustrative — the specific list and ongoing litigation status varies. Verify the current, enforceable list directly with Illinois State Police before carrying anywhere in Illinois.
Frequently asked questions — Illinois
Is it difficult to get a carry permit in Illinois?
The process in Illinois is generally more involved than in shall-issue states — expect more documentation, training requirements, and processing time. Apply through Illinois State Police for the current specific requirements.
Has Illinois's carry law changed recently?
Yes, likely. Following the 2022 Supreme Court Bruen decision, many restrictive states including Illinois enacted new legislation addressing "sensitive locations" and permit processes. This area of law is actively litigated and continues to change. Always verify the current status before relying on any specific provision described here.
Does Illinois honor permits from other states?
Illinois honours NO out-of-state carry permit. There is no reciprocity of any kind, and this is one of the few places where hedging would be misleading rather than cautious. The only route for a non-resident is an Illinois non-resident CCL under 430 ILCS 66/40, available only to residents of states the Illinois State Police has designated as having substantially similar firearm laws. That list is set by ISP rule and changes, so check with ISP directly. There is a separate, narrow vehicle exception: a non-resident may carry concealed inside their own vehicle if eligible to carry publicly at home, but if the home state issues permits you must actually hold one, even if that state also allows permitless carry.