ILgunguy Posted April 9, 2018 at 10:37 PM Share Posted April 9, 2018 at 10:37 PM Does anyone know if the Fox Valley Park District grounds are a prohibited place. I don't know if they count as a municipal park (which would make them prohibited) or not. I have tried looking on their website and tried doing a search on this forum. The only thing I was able to find on their website was a board meeting agenda item that said their policies would be revised to reflect the new CC law, but I have not found anything beyond that. I am particularly interested in the paved paths the run along the river at Rt. 25 and the grounds around the various parking areas. Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted April 9, 2018 at 10:48 PM Share Posted April 9, 2018 at 10:48 PM a relevant section: (13) Any public park, athletic area, or athletic facility under the control of a municipality or park district, provided nothing in this Section shall prohibit a licensee from carrying a concealed firearm while on a trail or bikeway if only a portion of the trail or bikeway includes a public park. If the path isn't contained entirely within a public park, I think you're good to go. However, parking areas may have you starting the path within a park, so you might have to pick a different start point. (afaik, not a lawyer, etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILgunguy Posted April 9, 2018 at 11:14 PM Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 at 11:14 PM a relevant section:(13) Any public park, athletic area, or athletic facility under the control of a municipality or park district, provided nothing in this Section shall prohibit a licensee from carrying a concealed firearm while on a trail or bikeway if only a portion of the trail or bikeway includes a public park.If the path isn't contained entirely within a public park, I think you're good to go.However, parking areas may have you starting the path within a park, so you might have to pick a different start point.(afaik, not a lawyer, etc) Yeah, that's part of my question. The park area around the parking lot seems to be off limits, but if you access the trail between the parking areas but not within the park (which is not clearly defined where they end and begin), then it would be fine. Also just wondering if anyone got has had any communication or experience with this. BTW, none of their park signs are posted, unless the park district in Naperville (for example). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redlin Posted April 10, 2018 at 01:39 AM Share Posted April 10, 2018 at 01:39 AM The river trails are fine to carry on.The parking areas for the trail itself that are not contained within a park are ok too.The trails on both sides of the river do run through some parks,but according to the law if you stay on the trail you're ok also.I walk/ride the trails all the time with no worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soylentgreen Posted April 10, 2018 at 04:07 PM Share Posted April 10, 2018 at 04:07 PM Parks are prohibited places by statute. All park district lands are not parks. It's difficult to know what's a park and what's not without an unreasonable level of research unless there's a sign that says "So-n-so Park" at the entrance.Whether the land is a park or isn't, the curators are required by law to post a sign if concealed carry is off-limits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Observer Posted April 10, 2018 at 06:45 PM Share Posted April 10, 2018 at 06:45 PM Parks are prohibited places by statute. All park district lands are not parks. It's difficult to know what's a park and what's not without an unreasonable level of research unless there's a sign that says "So-n-so Park" at the entrance. Whether the land is a park or isn't, the curators are required by law to post a sign if concealed carry is off-limits. Only public parks, athletic areas, or athletic facilities under the control of a municipality or park district, are affected by the FCCA. State and federal parks are not. With the exception of Cook County Forest Preserves, CC is allowed in forest preserves in the rest of the state. Government buildings in these areas would be GFZs. Just as the terms, "tavern" or "pub" do not automatically make a business a GFZ, the word "park" does not automatically make a piece of land a GFZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric D. Posted April 11, 2018 at 02:12 AM Share Posted April 11, 2018 at 02:12 AM Parks are prohibited places by statute. All park district lands are not parks. It's difficult to know what's a park and what's not without an unreasonable level of research unless there's a sign that says "So-n-so Park" at the entrance. Whether the land is a park or isn't, the curators are required by law to post a sign if concealed carry is off-limits. From what I've observed, all of the parks near me are posted, as are most of the bike trails, even those that run outside of parks under ComEd right-of-ways. I've called the park district and tried to explain that the trails aren't GFZs just because they were paved by the park district. Every time I call, the receptionist listens to part of my explanation, then transfers me to the maintenance department (apparently because they post the signs). I would write a letter, but I ride the trails all the time, and I carry while I do. I don't want to be singled out and made a test case if anyone recognized me. (And I should know better, but the fact that my bike appears to be made by Ruger probably doesn't help me much.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soylentgreen Posted April 11, 2018 at 02:47 PM Share Posted April 11, 2018 at 02:47 PM We know the trails are specifically excluded form the law. So, even if posted, I don't see how they can arrest and prosecute you. I mean, they can arrest you, but I'm certain a good lawyer will fix the situation quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILgunguy Posted April 13, 2018 at 02:53 PM Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 at 02:53 PM Parks are prohibited places by statute. All park district lands are not parks. It's difficult to know what's a park and what's not without an unreasonable level of research unless there's a sign that says "So-n-so Park" at the entrance. Whether the land is a park or isn't, the curators are required by law to post a sign if concealed carry is off-limits. From what I've observed, all of the parks near me are posted, as are most of the bike trails, even those that run outside of parks under ComEd right-of-ways. I've called the park district and tried to explain that the trails aren't GFZs just because they were paved by the park district. Every time I call, the receptionist listens to part of my explanation, then transfers me to the maintenance department (apparently because they post the signs). I would write a letter, but I ride the trails all the time, and I carry while I do. I don't want to be singled out and made a test case if anyone recognized me. (And I should know better, but the fact that my bike appears to be made by Ruger probably doesn't help me much.) I have been paying real close attention as I drive by the parking areas on Rt 25 between N. Aurora and Oswego on my way home. Parking areas are not posted, no trails are posted, and even where there is street-side parking and open access to the trails there are no signs. Don't they have to post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euler Posted April 13, 2018 at 08:01 PM Share Posted April 13, 2018 at 08:01 PM I have been paying real close attention as I drive by the parking areas on Rt 25 between N. Aurora and Oswego on my way home. Parking areas are not posted, no trails are posted, and even where there is street-side parking and open access to the trails there are no signs. Don't they have to post? Trails that are accessible from non-GFZ areas are non-GFZ. Similarly you can walk through Grant Park legally with a concealed firearm as long as you stay on the trail, even though the park itself is GFZ. Mandatory GFZs are required to post. Supposedly if they don't post, you can't be convicted for carrying. In practice, however, if you carry someplace that should obviously be posted (schools, government buildings, etc.), how much do you want to pay your lawyer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishbone Posted April 23, 2018 at 03:53 AM Share Posted April 23, 2018 at 03:53 AM All of these trails are public right of ways that cross or touch a prohibited area and thus are legal for carrying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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