I'm going to Chicago with my wife and kids.  Years ago, several times I've visited Chicago with a CCW.  That was before family, mortgage, and when a felony didn't seem like that big of a deal.  Today, I just can't take those kind of chances.  What would you guys do?  What would you carry?  Thanks.

Quoted: I'm going to Chicago with my wife and kids.  Years ago, several times I've visited Chicago with a CCW.  That was before family, mortgage, and when a felony didn't seem like that big of a deal.  Today, I just can't take those kind of chances.  What would you guys do?  What would you carry?  Thanks.

Folding, edged weapon and a cell-phone.

Hope you're good with your fists and legs.

I would recommend some new running shoes and 2 backup cell phone batteries. (only kidding)

What side of Chicago are you going to? Its not all that bad there, but there are some area's that I prefer not to be in.

My pocket knife is always on me, might have wifey carry some pepper spray.

Fox Labs pepper spray.

A folder would also not be legal I don't believe pepper spray would be either.

If your worried about staying legal carry a metal ink pen clipped in your pocket and or a metal flashlight like a Surefire E2E.  Most important though is to just be aware of your surroundings and don't let anyone suprise you.

Quoted: A folder would also not be legal I don't believe pepper spray would be either. If your worried about staying legal carry a metal ink pen clipped in your pocket and or a metal flashlight like a Surefire E2E.  Most important though is to just be aware of your surroundings and don't let anyone suprise you.

Seriously?  I carry my Boker into IL all the time.  I didn't know Chi-town restricted pocket knives...

I don't go to places that would prompt me to ask such a question on an internet forum

Quoted: I'm going to Chicago with my wife and kids.  What would you carry?

A cop.

height=8

Quoted: A folder would also not be legal I don't believe pepper spray would be either.

I think knives are okay.  I'm no lawyer, but the way I'm interpreting Illinois code is that a knife counts as a dangerous weapon, but it isn't illegal unless you are carrying it with intent to use it unlawfully.  I don't see a prosecutor having much success arguing that a man out on the town with his wife and kids was intending to commit a crime with his knife.  Then again, it is Illinois.

Quoted: I don't go to places that would prompt me to ask such a question on an internet forum

That's pretty much it.

Quoted: I don't go to places that would prompt me to ask such a question on an internet forum

I absolutely agree.  However, this isn't my idea.  If I don't go, they'll go without me.

Quoted: I would recommend some new running shoes and 2 backup cell phone batteries. (only kidding) What side of Chicago are you going to? Its not all that bad there, but there are some area's that I prefer not to be in. My pocket knife is always on me, might have wifey carry some pepper spray.

I'll be downtown, between N Lasalle St. and Lake Shore Dr. around Millenium Park.  

I'm not as concerned about our destination so much as the travel through the south side of Chicago.  I can't help being obsessive about always being over-prepared.  

I'll take a Kimber Life Act that I bought for my wife in another attempt to get her something that she'll actually carry.

I haven't left the house without a CCW for over 10 years.  This is gonna be different.

Quoted: Where are you going? I mean what's the address (within a few blocks)? FWIW, hypothetically speaking, if I were to go into Chicago heavy, I'd never mention it on the interweb.

I hear ya.  I'm not planning on going heavy.  Despite how tempting it is to pack a harmless little Guardian .380 in an ankle holster, I'm more cautious of Chicago's PD than their criminals.

Quoted: I think knives are okay.  I'm no lawyer, but the way I'm interpreting Illinois code is that a knife counts as a dangerous weapon, but it isn't illegal unless you are carrying it with intent to use it unlawfully.  I don't see a prosecutor having much success arguing that a man out on the town with his wife and kids was intending to commit a crime with his knife.  Then again, it is Illinois.

I based what I typed mostly off of packing.org which seems to be down now.  The way the law reads it is illegal to carry anything with intention to use it as a weapon.  So no club behind the seat or anything of that nature.  

I don't consider my pocket knife a weapon, any more than I consider an ink pen or a flashlight one, but I figured it fit into the description.

Also, you typed "intent to use it unlawfully," if your intent is to defend yourself I am pretty sure they consider that unlawful.

Quoted: ...I'm more cautious of Chicago's PD than their criminals.

That's just terrible.  I've been to Chicago twice and I don't understand why people want to go there.

This isn't applicable to the original question, but there is an excellent tool that helps keep me safe in Chicago.

It's called a map.  When I see that I'm getting close to the state line, I change course.  

I know it doesn't help you but when I go through IL,  My CCW goes with me.  I fill up on this side of the state line and don't stop until I hit the next.
I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.

2" legal blade length limit.  My friend is looking into his options as a daily carry across the state line to work every day.  

He looked into batons.  They are a no-no.  

KelTec P3AT  Out of sight and out of mind!  Of course I am just kidding.

Quoted: Quoted: I don't go to places that would prompt me to ask such a question on an internet forum That's pretty much it.

I agree. With all the gun people in Illinois, I just can't understand it. It's time for our brothers(and sisters) to take back their state.

I firmly agree, take back the damn state quit worrying about guns this or guns that, don't forget the F'er that killed all those people in new jersey with a dollars worth of gasoline and a match.

When i go to chicago, I take my gun, I control my life actions not to draw attention to myself until the time comes.
I have a lot of respect for the law, all of my family are cops/troopers. I am not, But i don't let the law dictate what i can carry or where i can't carry it.
If they don't see it, then they don't need it.

Just my thoughts though.

Quoted: I'm going to Chicago with my wife and kids.  Years ago, several times I've visited Chicago with a CCW.  That was before family, mortgage, and when a felony didn't seem like that big of a deal.  Today, I just can't take those kind of chances.  What would you guys do?  What would you carry?  Thanks.

A ROSARY

Taken from the Chicago Municpal Code is the following.  I read it to prohit possession of a knife with a 2.5" blade REGARDLESS OF INTENT.  The legal length is shortend to 2" if the person is under 18 years of age.

8-24-020  Carrying dangerous weapons.
No person shall sell, offer for sale, keep, possess, loan or give to any person any knife, the blade of which is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switch-blades," any blackjack, slingshot, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles or bludgeon. No person shall sell, offer for sale, loan or give to any person 18 years of age or under any type or kind of knife, any blade of which is two inches in length or longer.

No person shall sell, manufacture, purchase, possess or carry any weapon from which eight or more shots or bullets may be discharged by a single function of the firing device.

No person shall carry or possess any knife, the blade of which is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switch-blades," any blackjack, slingshot, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles or bludgeon. No person 18 years of age or under shall carry or possess any knife, the blade of which is two inches in length or longer.

No person shall carry or possess with intent to use same unlawfully against another a dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon.

No person shall carry concealed on or about his person a pistol, revolver, derringer or other firearm or dagger, dirk, stiletto, bowie knife, commando knife, any blade of which is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switch-blades" or any other type or kind of knife, any blade of which is more than two and one-half inches in length, ordinary razor or other dangerous weapon except that no person 18 years of age or under shall carry concealed on or about his person, any knife, the blade of which is two inches in length or longer. This provision shall not apply, however, to the following officers while engaged in the discharge of their official duties: sheriffs, coroners, constables, policemen or other duly constituted police officers and wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of crime; nor to the following employees or agents while engaged in the discharge of the duties of their employment: conductors, baggagemen, messengers, drivers, watchmen, special agents and policemen employed by railroads or express companies; nor to persons lawfully summoned by an officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace, while so engaged in assisting such officer.

Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined $200.00 for each offense, or shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

In addition to all other penalties, weapons used in violation of this section shall be forfeited to, and confiscated by, the city.

It doesn't say anything about pepper spray, so that's what I'd take.
Give the wife some too.

Damn Illinois socialist bastards.

I thank all of your insight to this subject.  I just returned from my trip to Chicago, and survived it!  It is actually a very cool place, its just too bad they criminalize people who only want to minimally protect themselves.  A previous post informed me that the Kershaw Leek I carried was a violation.

While shopping downtown, I noticed one person, carrying a very solid looking walking cane, who didn't exhibit any trouble walking.  I don't have any idea what his need for the cane was, but I was impressed.  I could carry such a cane in the open, legally, and have a 3' baton for use as a beat stick if necessary .  

Thanks again.