Frank,

Despite all the bashing and rumors you will not have a problem.

Originally Posted By: http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/FederalGunLaws.aspx?ID=59
ILLINOIS--A nonresident is permitted to transport a firearm provided it is unloaded, enclosed in a case, and not easily accessible. A nonresident may possess a firearm for licensed hunting, or at a Department of Law Enforcement recognized target shooting range or gun show.

The City of Chicago requires all firearms possessed in the city to be registered. Handguns not previously registered in Chicago cannot be registered. Oak Park, Evanston, Morton Grove, Highland Park, Wilmette, and Winnetka prohibit the possession of a handgun. Firearms may be transported under the general rule through Chicago for a lawful recreational firearm-related activity.

O'Hare airport is officially under the jurisdiction of the City of Chicago. I have flown in and out of O'Hare many times with my firearms.

Just use common sense. Keep the shotgun in a locked case. Keep the shotgun in the trunk. (You would do this in any large city.) The CPD is not stopping every car on the street and doing a search for firearms, despite what some would have you believe. The registration applies to residents of Chicago, not some one on a business trip. If you need to purchase ammunition here, all you need is an out of state drivers license or if a resident an FOID (which is not a big deal).

For an interesting take on the situation:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1568/is_n4_v26/ai_15630195

The state of Illinois has spent millions on a state of the art shooting center in downstate Sparta. http://dnr.state.il.us/worldshooting/default.html

By the way, if you are looking for sporting clays or trap, let me know. I don't shoot trap, but have a friend that can help you. (At a club just outside the Chicago city limits by the way.) The sporting clays courses here are numerous, but require some drive time. I belong to a club that has both 5 stand and a 10 stand walking course. Just let me know.

If you want to look over some guns, there is good variety at Gander Mountain in St. Charles. Also, Cabelas is breaking ground for a new store here. It is supposed to be operational by the fall and will have a gun library...

If you have time one Saturday, you may want to drive down to Beecher, Il and visit with John Griffin of Classic Guns. He does some wonderful restoration of Case Coloring. You can never tell what John will have in the shop that he is working on.

Pete