apmonte

I had my CC training this past weekend and my instructors told us that the Winnebago County forest preserves and Rock Cut State Park were off limits. From reading the prohibited areas list, I took it to mean that these areas were specifically called out as ok. I'm still months away from getting my license, but I'd like to get some clarification on this. Sec. 65. Prohibited areas. (3) Any building, parking area, or portion of a building under the control of an officer of the executive or legislative branch of government, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a licensee from carrying a concealed firearm onto the real property, bikeway, or trail in a park regulated by the Department of Natural Resources or any other designated public hunting area or building where firearm possession is permitted as established by the Department of Natural Resources under Section 1.8 of the Wildlife Code. As Rock Cut is under control of the DNR, wouldn't this seem to indicate that Rock Cut was ok for trail/bike path carry? (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. This would indicate to me that Baumann Park in Cherry Valley should be ok for carry. I haven't seen (or looked for) any signage yet. (14) Any real property under the control of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Since Cook County Forest Preserve is specifically called out by name, I really expected that the forest preserve districts in the other counties would be ok for carry. We routinely walk the dogs in Deer Run, Oak Ridge, Espenscheid, and Blackhawk Springs forest preserves. Here's a link to the list of Winnebago County Forest Preserves. I took the dogs out to Deer Run this morning and saw the attached pictures showing a no carry sign on the Information board. If my wife hadn't mentioned it to me this weekend, I would have never seen it as I never look at the info board when driving in. If it was correct to post, it would have been easier to notice on the board with the other picture signs (No swimming, dog on leash, horses ok, hiking, skiing, etc). Can anyone provide insight?