AIR RIFLE

Illinois law states that a dealer commits the crime of selling, renting, or transferring air rifles to children when they sell, lend, rents, or gives ran air rifle to someone under 13 when they know or should have known to be under 13 years of age unless they are the parent or guardian or instructor of the child, especially if they did not responsibly try to determine the child’s age. If someone under 13 carries or fires a loaded air rifle in a public venue or park. It is legal for a child to have or shoot an air rifle at home and to have or shoot it at a gun range under supervision if they do so without endangering someone or property. The user must not shoot it over the boundaries of where they are using it.

Definitions and Penalties for the City of Chicago:

Chicago laws are much more restrictive concerning air rifles than the above Illinois laws.

See: http://chicago-il.elaws.us/code/coor_t8_ch8-24_sec8-24-040

No matter what age you are, you may not possess or fire an air rifle or even a toy cannon or BB gun anywhere in Chicago, A replica air rifle which can be easily mistaken for a cartridge firearm like a rifle or shotgun is also prohibited unless it is used at a carnival (such as shooting targets like moving metal ducks). 

The penalties are a fine from $500 to $1000 and/or six months in jail for each separate offense (that can include each time you fire the air rifle. The statute says that performing community service is an alternative sentence. If the offender was under 18, the parent or guardian may be required to pay the fine or perform the community service.