No, open carry of firearms is illegal in Illinois under the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card Act and the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, with no exceptions for public display in most contexts. Local ordinances, such as those enforced by the Chicago Police Department, further restrict firearm visibility, and recent 2026 legislative proposals aim to tighten these prohibitions by expanding municipal authority over firearm regulations.
Key Regulations for Open Carry in Illinois
- FOID Card Requirement: Possession of a valid FOID card is mandatory for firearm ownership, but it does not authorize open carry. Violations may result in revocation under the Illinois State Police’s administrative review process.
- Concealed Carry Permit Exclusion: Even holders of Illinois Concealed Carry Licenses (CCL) are prohibited from openly carrying firearms in public, as CCLs only permit concealed carry under strict statutory conditions.
- Local Ordinance Enforcement: Municipalities like Chicago and Cook County impose additional restrictions, including bans on firearm display in public spaces, with penalties enforced by local law enforcement agencies under municipal codes.