The Stuff That’s Illegal To Bring Into Illinois

Alcohol (If It’s More than a Gallon)

If you have an entire cellar-full, you may have to leave your wine collection behind on moving day. According to theIllinois Administrative Code, Title 11, § 100.480 – Importation of Alcoholic Liquor (b), adults age 21 and older can bring up to 1 gallon of alcohol into the state.

If you're planning to bring more than that, you must contact the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) and declare the shipment. Otherwise, you could lose your liquor and get slapped with a fine, too.

Fun fact: A12-pack of beer will put you over the 1-gallon limit. You’ll have to get rid of 2 cans to enter Illinois legally. We don't recommend chugging those 2 beers before crossing into Illinois — or while driving at all.

Open Containers Are Prohibited

Open containers aren't legal for drivers or passengers. Here's what Illinois law says:

So, not only do you have to honor the 1-gallon limit, you have to make sure every bottle or can remains sealed.

Marijuana

Marijuana is legal in Illinois, but that doesn't mean you can bring it into — or out of — the state. Federal guidelines say you can't transport cannabis across state lines, regardless of its form. The government considers marijuana a Schedule 1 drug, so transport is forbidden.

Reputable Illinois moving companies won’t transport marijuana or cannabis products, either. It’s a legal liability that insurance won’t cover. If you’re caught bringing cannabis into Illinois, even for personal use, you’re at risk for harsh penalties. You may get fined or have your weed confiscated. Jail time is even possible.

Stick to buying locally once you’ve arrived in Illinois, and leave the edibles and joints behind. You also must be at least 21 years old if you're an Illinois resident transporting weed through the state. Keep it in a sealed, child-resistant container while you're on the road to prevent legal consequences.

Pets

If you’re bringing your dogs or cats along, get them checked out at home first. You’ll need to get a vet-issued health certificate with the right info to legally get your pets across state lines.

As stated on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website, the requirements for all dogs and cats include:

1. Pets must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days of entry showing the age, sex, breed, and description of each animal, and also provide a complete destination name and address within Illinois.
2. Animals being transported can’t be sick during the trip or originate from an area under rabies quarantine.
3. Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies if they are at least 16 weeks old. The date of vaccination and manufacturer information must be included on the CVI.

If your pet doesn’t meet these requirements, you could face fines or even be denied entry into Illinois with them.

Livestock

Thinking of moving with goats, chickens, cattle, llamas, or pigs? You’ll need to do some paperwork first. Unless you’re moving a herd of livestock into Illinois for slaughter or grazing purposes, these animals need a CVI and an entry permit.

Entry permits typically list the number of animals being moved, the name and address of the sender, and the name and Illinois address of the recipient. Livestock also has a longer list of illnesses and diseases they need to be checked for compared to pets. For example, your pigs may need to be tested for brucellosis or pseudorabies.

You can find a complete list of the requirements for various livestock and the form for entry permits on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.

Exotic and Dangerous Animals

Illinois law expressly states that you must leave your leopard or monkey behind. Individuals who reside in or enter Illinois may not have any dangerous animals, including wild cats, bears, hyenas, wolves, or coyotes. Primates are illegal, too.

Here’s a fairly comprehensive list of animals that are illegal to own. Even some less-obvious animals, like certain types of turtles or wild rodents, are restricted due to disease concerns.

You’ll need specific permits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to bring in any exotic animal, and even then, approval isn’t guaranteed.

Fish and Aquatic Life

Bringing your fish tank to Illinois? The list of approved aquatic species includes various types of snails, shellfish, and aquatic plants. You can request a copy of this list via postal mail.

While you wait for your list to arrive, you can contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with questions about moving or living with aquatic creatures.

Guns

Illinois has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. In January 2023, the state banned assault weapons. This statute also made the sale and distribution of many automatic and semi-automatic firearms and accessories illegal.

Here's a list of some common weapons that are restricted in Illinois:

• Fully automatic weapons
• Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
• Suppressors and silencers
• Some high-capacity magazines

Shaw Media offers this rundown of all the firearms and gun parts now banned in Illinois. Handguns, however, are legal to possess and, under certain conditions and following state laws, legal to transport from out of state.

Safe Firearm Transportation

You can legally bring approved firearms into Illinois if you're a resident with a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card. You can apply for this card through the Illinois State Police.

Make sure you keep guns unloaded and in a secure case during transport, and be mindful of local ordinances, which can vary by city or county. The Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau published this brochure about transporting firearms.

Non-residents can legally transport firearms if passing through as long as they comply with federal safe transport laws. Guns must be unloaded, locked, and inaccessible during travel.

Knives and Other Weapons

All automatic blades (i.e., switchblades), folding blades (i.e., pocket knives), and fixed-blade knives with a blade longer than 3 inches are illegal to own or carry. Ballistic knives, throwing stars, and brass or metal knuckles are also banned. Stun guns, taser guns, and even broken bottles may be considered illegal.

Fireworks

Planning to celebrate your move with a light show? In many states surrounding Illinois, fireworks are plentiful and plenty legal. However, inside Illinois, almost every type of firework is illegal, even when bought in neighboring states.

Here are some fireworks that are illegal in Illinois:

• Roman candles
• Bottle rockets
• Firecrackers
• Sky rockets

A few types of non-exploding pyrotechnic fun are legal, including sparklers, smoke bombs, party poppers, and snake pellets. Unfortunately, most everything else is a no-go, even on the 4th of July.

Untreated Firewood

Firewood has a long history of restriction in Illinois. Specifically, the importation of untreated firewood is prohibited. If you plan to bring firewood into Illinois, you must have that wood certified and labeled in advance. The packaging must be clearly marked and should not come from a quarantined area.

Firewood can carry invasive pests, like the emerald ash borer or gypsy moths, which devastate forests and native plants. That's why the Illinois Department of Agriculture has strict rules to stop these bugs from hitching a ride into the Land of Lincoln.

Whether you’re a current resident planning an Illinois City move or just passing through during a long-distance relocation, it's wise to learn local laws. From alcohol and pets to fireworks and firewood, these rules exist to protect public health and safety. Knowing them ahead of time can help you avoid delays or fines on moving day.