State profile · IL
Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity: Where Your Permit Works
A Illinois resident permit (Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL)) is honored in 29 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 6 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In the other direction, Illinois recognizes no out-of-state carry permits. Illinois is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Illinois recognizes.
Where a Illinois permit is honored
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits Illinois honors
Illinois does not recognize any out-of-state concealed-carry permit.
ISP (official 2025 brochure): 'Illinois does not recognize concealed carry licenses from other states.' Sole carve-out: a resident of another state with a valid concealed carry license from their home state may carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle while traveling through Illinois; if the vehicle is left unattended the firearm must be stored in a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view (430 ILCS 66).
Illinois at a glance
- Permit
- Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL)
- Issued by
- Illinois State Police
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permits
- Issued
- Permitless carry
- No
- Duty to inform
- No
- Magazine limit
- 15 rounds
Non-residents may apply only if their state is 'substantially similar' - currently Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia (per ISP). Fee $300 (residents $150). Illinois residents also need a FOID card; non-residents are not eligible for a FOID card and are not required to have one.
Vehicle carry
Illinois CCL holders may carry loaded and concealed in a vehicle; non-residents with a valid home-state license may carry loaded/concealed only within a vehicle; everyone else must transport firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case (or broken down / not immediately accessible).
Off-limits places in Illinois
- Schools and school property
- All state government buildings (posted prohibited areas), courts
- Hospitals and mental health facilities
- Public transportation
- Bars/establishments where over 50% of sales are alcohol
- Public parks, playgrounds and casinos
Frequently asked questions
- Which states honor a Illinois carry permit?
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does Illinois recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- ISP (official 2025 brochure): 'Illinois does not recognize concealed carry licenses from other states.' Sole carve-out: a resident of another state with a valid concealed carry license from their home state may carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle while traveling through Illinois; if the vehicle is left unattended the firearm must be stored in a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view (430 ILCS 66).
- Can I carry in Illinois without a permit?
- Illinois is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Illinois recognizes.
- Do I have to tell police in Illinois that I am carrying?
- Disclosure is on-demand only: upon an officer's request during a stop, the licensee or qualifying non-resident must disclose that they possess a concealed firearm, present the license on request, identify the firearm's location, and permit the officer to secure it for the stop (ISP brochure, per the Concealed Carry Act).
Official sources
- Illinois State Police - Concealed Carry License — accessed 2026-08-08
- Illinois State Police - Transport Your Firearm Legally (ISP 1-154, 7/25) - out-of-state recognition, vehicle exception, officer disclosure — accessed 2026-08-08
- Illinois State Police - Assault Weapons / Protect Illinois Communities Act (magazine limits) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau - FAQ — accessed 2026-08-08