Moving to Illinois...

Carry_24/7 · August 5, 2012, 01:39 PM

I know, I will need a new screen name...

A job in downtown Chicago is in the cards. I've looked around the net and need you IL experts assistance with the following:

1. Am I correct that as long as I move to a burb of Chicago thats not restrictive, and I apply for a FOID as soon as I arrive, I can take my guns with me and maintain until either the FOID is approved or disapproved?

2. What "at least gun friendly in your home" burbs are a reasonable driving distance from downtown Chicago?

I have never lived there, and know no one there...any help would be most appreciated....thanks in advance.

Willie Sutton · August 5, 2012, 01:44 PM

I have two words of advice for you:

Kenosha, Wisconsin, 55 miles north.

Reasonable Commute (don't drive, use Amtrak, Metra, or bus)

Friendly firearms laws.

"Shall Issue" CCW.

NFA Friendly

Lower taxes.

Much lower real estate costs.

Nice range just up the road in Racine.

Look at it. It's worth the drive for the lifestyle.

Willie

Commuter train service is available in Kenosha to downtown Chicago, intermediate points and the entire METRA rail system around Chicago. In addition, METRA trains connect with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses and elevated trains in the city and 38 nearby suburbs. No direct Belle Urban System service is available to the METRA station in Kenosha at 5262 13th Ave., but Wisconsin Coach Lines does make a stop at the station. Tickets are purchased on board the trains from the conductor, or in Chicago at the METRA station. Service is available to and from Kenosha with nine weekday trips, five trips from and seven trips to Kenosha on Saturday and three round trips on Sundays. For information about METRA service, call Chicago, (312) 322-6777.

.

sigcurious · August 5, 2012, 01:57 PM

To stay within the law as written,(last I checked a couple years ago, but I do not think there have been changes) you will need to store your firearms and ammunition elsewhere until obtaining your FOID card. That process will take 2-3 months if they are running the same time tables as before.

If you wind up in the city proper, things get more of a pain in the butt. You will need a CFP also, which takes an addition month or so and you cannot apply for your CFP until you have your FOID. At which time you will be able to register 1 handgun per 30 days with the city. There are no provisions, as of my last reading, for people moving in with multiple handguns.

Gun friendly suburbs, most of them. There are a few that have similar laws to Chicago though and don't forget to look up cook counties regulations. Suggestion not based on firearms ownership but on living and commuting, take a look at the METRA system, and try to live near it. Driving in and out of downtown and the suburbs is a PITA. Carol Stream to the west is a nice rural/suburban area. It's also in DuPage county so you're free of all the Chicago and Cook county regulations. If you're ok with a 10round magazine limitation(Cook County reg) Evanston or Skokie to the north might be a place to look, or Orland Park to the SW.

Carry_24/7 · August 5, 2012, 02:09 PM

Sig/Willie; thats exactly the kind of stuff i'm looking for. I'll be printing these responses and keeping them handy.

I will 100% check out Metra and WI....

Thanks!

sigcurious · August 5, 2012, 02:18 PM

Oh on another note. Ranges are pretty spread out, the ones I know of, there may be a few more now, Midwest Guns in Lyon(SW), IL Gunworks in Elmwood Park(W) and Gat Guns in Dundee (NW). I think there are a few more in the N/NW area.

Carry_24/7 · August 5, 2012, 02:30 PM

Just getting a start on where to look for an apartment was nice. I looked up WI gun laws...and I like....Metra, great tip.

This is good stuff, thanks.

Willie Sutton · August 5, 2012, 03:11 PM

Absolute pleasure.

Hospitality checks at the house are encouraged for new arrivals. PM when you get to town.

Wisconsin is definately worth the commute.

I moved into WI from NJ (!!) and I have never been happier. Firearms are not a crime here. IL/CA/NY/NJ/Mass are firearms hells. Why live in hell when you can enjoy the same commute north to as you might enjoy west into a suburb of another ring of Dante's Inferno?

Willie

.

sigcurious · August 5, 2012, 03:24 PM

For the food! Chicago is full of tasty goodness

g.willikers · August 5, 2012, 03:27 PM

And you won't be paying taxes to support the enemy, if you live in Wisconsin, either.
Heck, no reason you can't eat in Chicago, though, unless you prefer Wisconsin cheese, beer and bratwurst.

sigcurious · August 5, 2012, 03:32 PM

If his income comes from IL he will still have to pay IL income tax no matter where he lives.

Davey · August 5, 2012, 10:32 PM

Lake county is very close to Chicago. Stay out of cook county. Cook has their own AWB In place. The rest of IL is good. Absolutely no NFA items tough.

Try looking for a place Indiana?

raimius · August 5, 2012, 10:44 PM

If you can swing the commute, WI or IN.
There's a reason I'm not an IL resident anymore!

Carry_24/7 · August 6, 2012, 07:25 AM

I'm a pistol guy, I don't hunt, keep or collect long-guns of any type anymore...and no suppressors, HICAP mags or anything like that....

I'm looking at all info sent, staying away from Cook County, looking at settling near a METRA station, possibly in WI and commuting.

Thanks again for all the help.

Patriot86 · August 6, 2012, 12:19 PM

@ Carry 24/7:

If you have the type of job where you seldome have to drive to work and have a pretty set schedule then the Metra is for you. My first year back here in Illinois I took the Milwaukee District North Line almost every day to my job. Unless someone/something gets hit by a train delays even in bad snow typically do not get that bad.

If you would like to live in Illinois, Closeish to the City and it is in your price range I would reccomend Deerfield. MOST of it is in Lake County so you have 0 annoying gun laws to worry about, Deerfield has good schools and it is close to both the Edens (94) and the Tristate(294) if you want to go into the city or elsewhere in the state.

Looking at western Suburbs if you go out much further than Hoffman Estates or Barrington your drive in would be a nightmare.

I can't really speak about South/SW Suburbs someone else will need to chime in on those.

I work with a guy who lives in Wisconsin ; if it is snowing driving is a joke. If you plan on taking the Train great but the further out from the city you are the more of an issue it is.

cheezhed · August 12, 2012, 02:13 AM

I lived in Chicago for most my life and I agree with the live in Wisconsin or Indiana advice. The city really sucks if you value any of your freedoms. The taxes are terrible, the crime rate is high and if you feel that you can make a difference with your vote it is a horrible place to be. The populace accept corruption as a way of life and will trade their vote for a garbage can or a street sweeping. The suburbs are a little better but Chicago still sticks its nose into everything. The rent is high and the traffic is bad and it seems there is a traffic camera on every corner ready to ticket you. If you must work there really try not to live there.

Al Norris · August 12, 2012, 12:59 PM

While the OP might be in line with the stated purpose of L&CR, it and the responses are more in line with General Gun Discussions.

Moved to the GD forum...

Master Blaster 2 · August 12, 2012, 01:41 PM

You would have to change your handle too...CARRY24/7.

PoiDog · August 12, 2012, 04:09 PM

OP, I live in Will County.

You want to buy a house? LOL

J/K, although I will be moving to IN in the not too distant future, for freedom reasons.

Outside of Chicago and Cook County, IL isn't so bad. It's just the Chicago and Cook County drive the bus on gun laws in this state.

Boatme98 · August 12, 2012, 05:45 PM

For the food! Chicago is full of tasty goodness

Except for their "pizza".

drail · August 13, 2012, 02:49 PM

Yup, where I come from we call "Chicago style" pizza "lasagna."

sigcurious · August 13, 2012, 02:59 PM

Humbug I say! Humbug! Next you're going to tell me ketchup goes on hot dogs.

scottd913 · August 14, 2012, 02:41 PM

willies right Wisconsin is where you would be most happy
the transit system is good as far as i can tell
speaking a little out of turn but as a truck driver from Texas who has been in Chicago more times than i can recall there's no easy drive in Chicago during traffic times.
and as far as taxes i know allot of people including myself who works for company's outside the state they live in and none of us pay state taxes to a state we don't live in.

sigcurious · August 14, 2012, 02:59 PM

^ This is correct, in the case of WI/IL. I spoke too generally earlier. WI and IL have an agreement. Just don't forget to file your exemption with the employer so the taxes are not taken out up front.

spanishjames · August 14, 2012, 07:10 PM

Regardless of where in Illinois you live, there is no provision for concealed carry, unless you're an active or retired LEO. The strictest town is Chicago, where you need a permit to possess a handgun, as well as training and gun registration. Others have also mentioned the Cook County "assault weapon" ban.

If you decide to live in IL, the suburbs are best. In my opinion, the farther you are from Chicago, the more gun friendly the town. I think Oak Park and Evanston? dropped their handgun bans when Chicago did, but I don't know where they stand now. I don't think any of the suburbs require gun registration, though I could be wrong.

If you want to use Metra look on their website to find out which towns are serviced by them. Most of the Chicagoland area is serviced by public transportation, if you don't want to drive to and from work. Driving in from the suburbs isn't that bad either, though rush hour and tolls stink anywhere.

The repressive gun laws in the area are what's horrible. The Illinois State Rifle Association and its members have done a lot to help. I would suggest you join if you become a resident.http://isra.org/

junglebob · September 2, 2012, 04:38 PM

If you take that job in Illinois you should join Illinoiscarry.com a group working to get LTC in Illinois. We would like Illinois to be a shall issue carry state. The Illinois State Rifle Association is also working for LTC in Illinois.

If you move to Illinois apply for your FOID card as soon as you get your drivers license. It should be issued in 30 days. Find out who your state representative and state senator are. If it isn't recieved within 30 days of when your check clears call your state rep or state senator if they contact the Illinois State Police it will magically appear in a few days in your mail box, if not you may wait for 60 days. If you are in Chicago of course your rep or senator may not be willing to help. As a gun owner you should look at the process you need to go through to just legally own a firearm in Chicago, as well as what firearms are prohibited. It is much worse than the rest of the state. Realize that the Illinois Sheriffs Association has come out endorsing license to carry and all sheriffs, I understand, except Cook County Sheriff.

August 5, 2012, 01:39 PM	#1
Carry_24/7 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Posts: 801	Moving to Illinois... I know, I will need a new screen name... A job in downtown Chicago is in the cards. I've looked around the net and need you IL experts assistance with the following: 1. Am I correct that as long as I move to a burb of Chicago thats not restrictive, and I apply for a FOID as soon as I arrive, I can take my guns with me and maintain until either the FOID is approved or disapproved? 2. What "at least gun friendly in your home" burbs are a reasonable driving distance from downtown Chicago? I have never lived there, and know no one there...any help would be most appreciated....thanks in advance.

August 5, 2012, 01:57 PM	#3
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	To stay within the law as written,(last I checked a couple years ago, but I do not think there have been changes) you will need to store your firearms and ammunition elsewhere until obtaining your FOID card. That process will take 2-3 months if they are running the same time tables as before. If you wind up in the city proper, things get more of a pain in the butt. You will need a CFP also, which takes an addition month or so and you cannot apply for your CFP until you have your FOID. At which time you will be able to register 1 handgun per 30 days with the city. There are no provisions, as of my last reading, for people moving in with multiple handguns. Gun friendly suburbs, most of them. There are a few that have similar laws to Chicago though and don't forget to look up cook counties regulations. Suggestion not based on firearms ownership but on living and commuting, take a look at the METRA system, and try to live near it. Driving in and out of downtown and the suburbs is a PITA. Carol Stream to the west is a nice rural/suburban area. It's also in DuPage county so you're free of all the Chicago and Cook county regulations. If you're ok with a 10round magazine limitation(Cook County reg) Evanston or Skokie to the north might be a place to look, or Orland Park to the SW. Last edited by sigcurious; August 5, 2012 at 02:10 PM.

August 5, 2012, 03:27 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	And you won't be paying taxes to support the enemy, if you live in Wisconsin, either. Heck, no reason you can't eat in Chicago, though, unless you prefer Wisconsin cheese, beer and bratwurst. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 12, 2012, 05:45 PM	#19
Boatme98 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: Mid Tennessee Posts: 357	For the food! Chicago is full of tasty goodness Except for their "pizza". __________________ It's good to be the king.

August 14, 2012, 07:10 PM	#24
spanishjames Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2010 Posts: 553	Regardless of where in Illinois you live, there is no provision for concealed carry, unless you're an active or retired LEO. The strictest town is Chicago, where you need a permit to possess a handgun, as well as training and gun registration. Others have also mentioned the Cook County "assault weapon" ban. If you decide to live in IL, the suburbs are best. In my opinion, the farther you are from Chicago, the more gun friendly the town. I think Oak Park and Evanston? dropped their handgun bans when Chicago did, but I don't know where they stand now. I don't think any of the suburbs require gun registration, though I could be wrong. If you want to use Metra look on their website to find out which towns are serviced by them. Most of the Chicagoland area is serviced by public transportation, if you don't want to drive to and from work. Driving in from the suburbs isn't that bad either, though rush hour and tolls stink anywhere. The repressive gun laws in the area are what's horrible. The Illinois State Rifle Association and its members have done a lot to help. I would suggest you join if you become a resident.http://isra.org/ __________________ Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." -Sydney J. Harris

August 5, 2012, 01:44 PM	#2
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	I have two words of advice for you: Kenosha, Wisconsin, 55 miles north. Reasonable Commute (don't drive, use Amtrak, Metra, or bus) Friendly firearms laws. "Shall Issue" CCW. NFA Friendly Lower taxes. Much lower real estate costs. Nice range just up the road in Racine. Look at it. It's worth the drive for the lifestyle. Willie Commuter train service is available in Kenosha to downtown Chicago, intermediate points and the entire METRA rail system around Chicago. In addition, METRA trains connect with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses and elevated trains in the city and 38 nearby suburbs. No direct Belle Urban System service is available to the METRA station in Kenosha at 5262 13th Ave., but Wisconsin Coach Lines does make a stop at the station. Tickets are purchased on board the trains from the conductor, or in Chicago at the METRA station. Service is available to and from Kenosha with nine weekday trips, five trips from and seven trips to Kenosha on Saturday and three round trips on Sundays. For information about METRA service, call Chicago, (312) 322-6777. .

August 5, 2012, 02:09 PM	#4
Carry_24/7 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Posts: 801	Sig/Willie; thats exactly the kind of stuff i'm looking for. I'll be printing these responses and keeping them handy. I will 100% check out Metra and WI.... Thanks!

August 5, 2012, 02:18 PM	#5
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	Oh on another note. Ranges are pretty spread out, the ones I know of, there may be a few more now, Midwest Guns in Lyon(SW), IL Gunworks in Elmwood Park(W) and Gat Guns in Dundee (NW). I think there are a few more in the N/NW area.

August 5, 2012, 02:30 PM	#6
Carry_24/7 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Posts: 801	Just getting a start on where to look for an apartment was nice. I looked up WI gun laws...and I like....Metra, great tip. This is good stuff, thanks.

August 5, 2012, 03:11 PM	#7
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	Absolute pleasure. Hospitality checks at the house are encouraged for new arrivals. PM when you get to town. Wisconsin is definately worth the commute. I moved into WI from NJ (!!) and I have never been happier. Firearms are not a crime here. IL/CA/NY/NJ/Mass are firearms hells. Why live in hell when you can enjoy the same commute north to as you might enjoy west into a suburb of another ring of Dante's Inferno? Willie .

August 5, 2012, 03:24 PM	#8
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	For the food! Chicago is full of tasty goodness

August 5, 2012, 03:32 PM	#10
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	If his income comes from IL he will still have to pay IL income tax no matter where he lives.

August 5, 2012, 10:32 PM	#11
Davey Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2010 Location: Not far enough from Chicago Posts: 394	Lake county is very close to Chicago. Stay out of cook county. Cook has their own AWB In place. The rest of IL is good. Absolutely no NFA items tough. Try looking for a place Indiana?

August 5, 2012, 10:44 PM	#12
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	If you can swing the commute, WI or IN. There's a reason I'm not an IL resident anymore!

August 6, 2012, 07:25 AM	#13
Carry_24/7 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2011 Posts: 801	I'm a pistol guy, I don't hunt, keep or collect long-guns of any type anymore...and no suppressors, HICAP mags or anything like that.... I'm looking at all info sent, staying away from Cook County, looking at settling near a METRA station, possibly in WI and commuting. Thanks again for all the help.

August 6, 2012, 12:19 PM	#14
Patriot86 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,293	@ Carry 24/7: If you have the type of job where you seldome have to drive to work and have a pretty set schedule then the Metra is for you. My first year back here in Illinois I took the Milwaukee District North Line almost every day to my job. Unless someone/something gets hit by a train delays even in bad snow typically do not get that bad. If you would like to live in Illinois, Closeish to the City and it is in your price range I would reccomend Deerfield. MOST of it is in Lake County so you have 0 annoying gun laws to worry about, Deerfield has good schools and it is close to both the Edens (94) and the Tristate(294) if you want to go into the city or elsewhere in the state. Looking at western Suburbs if you go out much further than Hoffman Estates or Barrington your drive in would be a nightmare. I can't really speak about South/SW Suburbs someone else will need to chime in on those. I work with a guy who lives in Wisconsin ; if it is snowing driving is a joke. If you plan on taking the Train great but the further out from the city you are the more of an issue it is.

August 12, 2012, 02:13 AM	#15
cheezhed Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Posts: 302	I lived in Chicago for most my life and I agree with the live in Wisconsin or Indiana advice. The city really sucks if you value any of your freedoms. The taxes are terrible, the crime rate is high and if you feel that you can make a difference with your vote it is a horrible place to be. The populace accept corruption as a way of life and will trade their vote for a garbage can or a street sweeping. The suburbs are a little better but Chicago still sticks its nose into everything. The rent is high and the traffic is bad and it seems there is a traffic camera on every corner ready to ticket you. If you must work there really try not to live there.

August 12, 2012, 12:59 PM	#16
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	While the OP might be in line with the stated purpose of L&CR, it and the responses are more in line with General Gun Discussions. Moved to the GD forum...

August 12, 2012, 01:41 PM	#17
Master Blaster 2 Junior member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Posts: 895	You would have to change your handle too...CARRY24/7.

August 12, 2012, 04:09 PM	#18
PoiDog Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 1999 Location: IL Posts: 309	OP, I live in Will County. You want to buy a house? LOL J/K, although I will be moving to IN in the not too distant future, for freedom reasons. Outside of Chicago and Cook County, IL isn't so bad. It's just the Chicago and Cook County drive the bus on gun laws in this state.

August 13, 2012, 02:49 PM	#20
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	Yup, where I come from we call "Chicago style" pizza "lasagna."

August 13, 2012, 02:59 PM	#21
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	Humbug I say! Humbug! Next you're going to tell me ketchup goes on hot dogs.

August 14, 2012, 02:41 PM	#22
scottd913 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2012 Location: Texas ... north of houston, east of el paso Posts: 214	willies right Wisconsin is where you would be most happy the transit system is good as far as i can tell speaking a little out of turn but as a truck driver from Texas who has been in Chicago more times than i can recall there's no easy drive in Chicago during traffic times. and as far as taxes i know allot of people including myself who works for company's outside the state they live in and none of us pay state taxes to a state we don't live in.

August 14, 2012, 02:59 PM	#23
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2011 Posts: 1,755	^ This is correct, in the case of WI/IL. I spoke too generally earlier. WI and IL have an agreement. Just don't forget to file your exemption with the employer so the taxes are not taken out up front.

September 2, 2012, 04:38 PM	#25
junglebob Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 85	If you take that job in Illinois you should join Illinoiscarry.com a group working to get LTC in Illinois. We would like Illinois to be a shall issue carry state. The Illinois State Rifle Association is also working for LTC in Illinois. If you move to Illinois apply for your FOID card as soon as you get your drivers license. It should be issued in 30 days. Find out who your state representative and state senator are. If it isn't recieved within 30 days of when your check clears call your state rep or state senator if they contact the Illinois State Police it will magically appear in a few days in your mail box, if not you may wait for 60 days. If you are in Chicago of course your rep or senator may not be willing to help. As a gun owner you should look at the process you need to go through to just legally own a firearm in Chicago, as well as what firearms are prohibited. It is much worse than the rest of the state. Realize that the Illinois Sheriffs Association has come out endorsing license to carry and all sheriffs, I understand, except Cook County Sheriff. Last edited by junglebob; September 2, 2012 at 10:20 PM.