Even though Illinois is a concealed-carry state for firearms, merchants have the option of keeping them out of their stores, and the Evanston Police Department is offering signs to announce their intentions.
Locations that are not prohibited by the new law can become prohibited if a designated sign is posted conspicuously at the entrance to a location by a private property owner or by a person controlling the property, as long as the building or property is not a private residence, police said.
The Evanston Police Department currently has a limited number of the approved signs that are available at no charge to Evanston businesses at the police service desk at 1454 Elmwood Ave.