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Louis Martin Custom Knives

Reviewed

Illinois Knife Laws

In Illinois, switchblades are restricted and butterfly knives are legal. Carrying with intent to harm is a crime; blades of 3 inches or more are restricted in publicly funded places. The blade limit to know: 3 inches in public buildings and similar locations.

Switchblades: Restricted

Automatic knives are mainly limited to holders of a valid FOID card (since 2017).

Butterfly Knives: Legal

Butterfly knives are generally legal.

Concealed Carry

Carrying with intent to harm is a crime; blades of 3 inches or more are restricted in publicly funded places.

Local Ordinances

Illinois has no statewide preemption, so cities and counties can add stricter rules. Check local ordinances before carrying. Chicago enforces stricter local rules (2.5 inch concealed-carry limit); no preemption.

Not legal advice. This page was last reviewed October 13, 2026. Statuses come from state statutes and reputable trackers, and the linked facts below were checked against the official statute or code text on October 13, 2026. Laws change; verify the current statute or consult a lawyer before buying or carrying. See the full 50-state comparison.

The Law in Detail

Key statutes: 720 ILCS 5/24-1; 720 ILCS 5/21-6

Basic unlawful use of weapons involving a knife is a Class A misdemeanor with up to 364 days and $2,500, jumping to a Class 4 felony in schools, courthouses, public housing, or within 1,000 feet of school property. People v. Sullivan (1970) required the state to rule out lawful uses before inferring unlawful intent from mere carry. There is no preemption, and Chicago's ordinance bars concealed carry of blades over 2.5 inches.

Checked Against the Statute Text

The FAQ answers below include statute details from these sources:

Chicago Rules

  • Breaking Chicago's weapons rules in §8-24-020 generally carries a $200 fine per offense, up to six months in jail, or both. (Chicago Mun. Code §8-24-020(g))

The Chicago answer in the FAQ below draws on Chicago Mun. Code §8-24-020(f), Chicago Mun. Code §8-24-020(a), and Chicago Mun. Code §8-24-020(b), (c).

Each fact linked above, including those in the FAQ answers, was checked against the official statute or code text on October 13, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Illinois Knife Law FAQ

Are switchblades legal in Illinois?
Switchblades (automatic knives) are restricted in Illinois. Automatic knives are mainly limited to holders of a valid FOID card (since 2017). Selling, buying, possessing, or carrying a switchblade, a knife whose blade opens automatically by pressure on a button, spring, or other device in the handle, is unlawful possession of weapons, a Class A misdemeanor. That ban does not apply to a person with a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card issued in their name, or to a business that sells or makes switchblades. Reviewed October 13, 2026; this is general information, not legal advice.
Are butterfly knives legal in Illinois?
Butterfly knives (balisongs) are legal in Illinois. Butterfly knives are generally legal.
Is it legal to carry a knife in Illinois?
Generally yes, within limits: Carrying with intent to harm is a crime; blades of 3 inches or more are restricted in publicly funded places. Carrying any knife with intent to use it unlawfully is a crime everywhere. For daggers, dirks, stilettos, razors, and other dangerous knives, the offense is carrying or possessing one with intent to use it unlawfully against another person.
What size knife can you legally carry in Illinois?
The limit to know is 3 inches in public buildings and similar locations. Chicago enforces stricter local rules (2.5 inch concealed-carry limit); no preemption. Possessing a knife with a blade of at least 3 inches in a building or on land supported in whole or in part by public funds needs prior written permission from the chief security officer, who must grant any reasonable request; without it, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
What are the knife laws in Chicago?
Chicago bans carrying a dagger or any knife with a blade over 2.5 inches concealed on or about your person. The city also bans selling, keeping, or possessing switchblade knives, and its ordinance has no FOID card exception. In Chicago, anyone 18 or younger may not carry a knife with a blade of two inches or longer, and no one may sell or give such a knife to them. These city rules apply on top of Illinois state law.

Traveling Through?

Knife law changes at the state line. Bordering states: Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin.

Hand-Forged Knives, Shipped to Illinois

Every Louis Martin blade is hand-forged and ships free anywhere in the US, including right here in Illinois. Start with our pocket knives and everyday carry pieces, browse the full collection, or read our guide to the best knives in Illinois, and keep our national knife law guide handy when you travel.