Do I have it right?
Thank you for the citation. The Illinois State Police website FAQ seemed to suggest this question but the citation is unambiguous. If I get out of the car to fuel, the firearm must be encased INSIDE the vehicle. If I decide to put it in the trunk, it must exit the car in an unloaded condition. I can have it in my possession only for the limited purpose of storing it in a trunk or other closed and locked environment. If I decide to exit the vehicle to eat or go to the bathroom, I must either lock it in my car in a case or other suitable container, or, unload it, exit the vehicle, place it into the trunk or a locked container within the trunk. When I return, I can retrieve it in an unloaded condition, enter my vehicle, reload it, and go about my journey. Correct?
Citation:
(b) Notwithstanding subsections (a), (a-5), and (a-10) of
this Section except under paragraph (22) or (23) of subsection
(a), any licensee prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm
into the parking area of a prohibited location specified in
subsection (a), (a-5), or (a-10) of this Section shall be
permitted to carry a concealed firearm on or about his or her
person within a vehicle into the parking area and may store a
firearm or ammunition concealed in a case within a locked
vehicle or locked container out of plain view within the
vehicle in the parking area. A licensee may carry a concealed
firearm in the immediate area surrounding his or her vehicle
within a prohibited parking lot area only for the limited
purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within the vehicle's
trunk, provided the licensee ensures the concealed firearm is
unloaded prior to exiting the vehicle. For purposes of this
subsection, "case" includes a glove compartment or console that
completely encloses the concealed firearm or ammunition, the
trunk of the vehicle, or a firearm carrying box, shipping box,
or other container.