Knife Laws in Illinois

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Knife Laws in Illinois

Illinois is a state in America. Knife laws in Illinois are somewhat confusing. There is a law that describes the unlawful/illegal ownership of knives.

There is not any permission for the storage of illegal knives and other weapons. But there is too much use of weapons illegally.

Due to this factor, a person often gets confused when he talks about knife laws in this state. In this article, you will find all you need about knife laws in Illinois.

Legal Knives to Own in Illinois

You can own Bali knives and other similar knives without any trouble. The same law applies to disguised knives like lipstick or belt knives. Throwing knives is also legal here.

Unlike other states, Illinois allows the possession and ownership of bowie knives and other large-blade knives. A best bowie knife may be harmful to a person or animal due to its sharpness. That’s why it is illegal in most states; while Illinois allows the possession of Bowie knives.

If you have a valid license or FOID (Firearms Owners Identification) card then you can own other versatile categories of knives, such as switchblades and other automatic options.

Illegal Knives to Own in Illinois

You can not own a throwing star even if you have a valid FOID card. Ballistic knives of all kinds are strictly illegal here. However, switchblades and other automatic knives are illegal in Illinois.

But if you have a valid FOID card then you can own these knives. In the past Illinois allowed the ownership of most knives but recent changes in the law banned most of those permissions.

A knife having a blade larger than 3 inches is considered a harmful and dangerous weapon. That’s why It is also illegal to carry a knife that has a  blade longer than 3 inches.

It is unlawful to carry such knives in any building or on land supported in whole or in part with public funds.

Carry Limits

In general, a person can carry all legal knives in Illinois without any issue. Open carry is not an issue. The limits of carry also depend upon the use of the knife.

If you are carrying a knife for legal hunting or other legal purposes, then there is not any problem. However, if you are carrying a knife for violence or to hurt someone; then of course it is illegal.

Concealed Carry

There is no specific role for Concealed carry. Just you have to ensure that you have a legal knife and you are using it for a legal purpose. In this way, you will not have any difficulty with concealed carry.

Specific Locations / Circumstances

Schools, colleges and universities, and other educational places are weapon-free zones. Knives are also weapons. Therefore, it is illegal to carry a knife in school or other educational institutions regardless of the purpose.

You are not allowed to carry any weapon on school property like school bus, ground, or other things. For this, it is illegal to carry a knife in the seminars of schools even if they don’t occur on school grounds.

Restrictions on Sale or Transfer

The knife laws of Illinois prohibit the manufacturing and sale of all illegal knives. So you can not sell, purchase, or borrow Ballistic knives and throwing stars.

However, you can own, sell and transfer a switchblade or another automatic knife if you have a valid FOID card.

Statewide pre-emption

There is not a statewide pre-emption in Illinois.

Major Cities in Illinois with Knife Ordinances

Chicago is the largest city in Illinois with a knife ordinance in place. Local laws in Chicago prohibit the carrying of knives with blades longer than 2.5 inches.

City, State
Law Title/ Chapter/ Section
Concealed Carry Legal
Max Size Restriction
Short description of the law
Auburn, IL
18-47.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Beach Park, IL
9.08.040No concealed about his person any other dangerous or deadly weapon
Bourbonnais, IL
22-13.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Braidwood, IL
58-222.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Buffalo Grove, IL
9.28.010No Carries or possesses with intent to use unlawfully against another, a dangerous knife
Burbank, IL
9-21.Yes3″a knife over three (3) inches in length or carried in a sheath;
Calumet City, IL
62-251.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Carol Stream, IL
42077Yes3″Any knife having a fixed or locking blade which is three or more inches in length;
Carpentersville, IL
13-29  Any Knife on any School Property when Under 21 years of age
Centralia, IL
13-29  Any Knife on any School Property when Under 21 years of age
Chicago
8-24-020Yes2.5″any knife with a blade greater than two and a half inches is illegal,
Chicago Hts. IL
30-101. & 30-62.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Cicero, IL
62-191. & 62-6.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Cook Co. IL
46-62.No Contraband. ….. Knife
Crete, IL
13-29  Any Knife on any School Property when Under 21 years of age
Davis Junction, IL
Sec. 30-31  possess, carry or use in any way in the park system any knife
DeKalb Co, IL
30-123.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Galesburg, IL
3-101.No knife or other deadly weapons within any licensed premises.
Jacksonville, IL
Sec. 18-15  Disorderly conduct. All persons who shall have or carry any pistol, knife
Loves Park, IL
54-240.Yes1.5″Any person who shall within the city possess carry any knife, the blade of which is longer than 1 1/2 ” in length,
McCook, IL
54-162. & 6-4.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Ottawa, IL
Sec. 62-202  Shall not carry about his person any concealed pistol, knife, razor, slingshot
Park City, IL
9.32.010Yes3″Illegal to carry a knife with a blade of at least three inches in length
Peoria Co. IL
7.3-31.No No Knife in the Court House.
Peoria, IL
20-188.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Pontiac, IL
16-30.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Roselle, IL
13-9.No No person shall carry concealed about his person a knife or other dangerous or deadly weapons
Round Lake Heights, IL
38082Yes3″Carries concealed in any vehicle or concealed on or about his or her person, knife with a blade in excess of three inches (3?)
Savoy, IL
12.28.190No shall possess, have, or carry any… Hunting Knife
South Beloit, IL
Sec. 62-207Yes3″Illegal to possess or carry any knife which has a blade longer than three inches in length;
Stickney, IL
54-10.Yes3″bring, carry, have in his vehicle any knife having a blade longer than 3″ in any park,
Vandalia, IL
9.24.010Yes3″No person shall carry or wear under his or her clothes or concealed knife in excess of three inches,
Wheeling, IL
8.18.010Yes3″any type of knife, the blade of which is three inches in length or longer.

Exceptions

There is not any exception for any person. Everyone has to obey the rules of the state without any exceptions. Even military persons have not any exception. There is the same rule for everyone.

Summary of Knife Laws in Illinois

Illinois law considers some knives legal and some of them are illegal. If someone has a valid FOID card then he can own the switchblade and automatic knives, while these are illegal without a FOID card.

There are some restrictions describing the carry limits. It depends upon the purpose and use of the knife. There are no critical dimensions to keep in mind when owning or carrying a knife in Illinois, except in public-funded places.

However, many municipalities have their own laws on concealed carrying and blade size restrictions. Hence you will need to be a bit cautious moving across cities.

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