Howdy Junglebob!
No, and it sure as heck ain't Colorado. Here I open carry my firearm everywhere I go. There are very few exceptions, mostly City and County of Denver. But even Denver is okay if you have a permit to carry concealed. There are exceptions, like government buildings and places where posted "no firearms". But Illinois ain't Colorado. No open carry, no concealed carry, no car carry. I have my Judge on my hip right now, and can go out to my car and drive to any store or business in darn near every part of the state, and no hassle involved. And I carry with one in the tube and 10 in the mag.
So, you're right about Illinois not being like other states. Those that do not respect the Bill of Rights, especially 2a, I ain't interested in visiting. I ain't interested in spending money in Illinois, and when the day rolls around that I can sell the house in Illinois, I'll totally cut any lingering ties to Illinois. I prefer living in a state where freedom is given due regard. One day, perhaps long after I've shuffled off this mortal coil, there will be a civil rights movement for citizens of Illinois. Maybe they'll get the same rights and privleges as other Americans enjoy. Maybe they'll be treated as law abiding citizens rather than victims in waiting. Perhaps a day will come when citizens of Illinois remind their representatives that they are elected to serve the people, rather than fleece them and deny them their Constitutional rights. But I don't expect to see it in this lifetime. I find it almost beyond comprehension that the Land of Lincoln isn't where the rights of the citizen are upheld to the highest degree.
Thank you for your observations, but I'll steer clear of Illinois, where only the criminals carry guns and the citizens are helpless against assault. And I don't need permission from anybody to carry my iron. Since I started carrying, I ain't been denied my right anywhere I wanted to go. Through many different jurisdictions in Colorado, through Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming, nobody has infringed on my right to carry my firearm. When I get my concealed carry permit, I'll be free to travel through most of America... except Illinios. And that just a cotton picking shame.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin