RE: so what's the deal??
Illinois is a big, mostly flat state with nearly 13 million people. Shotguns and muzzleloaders are consider 'safer' than rifles by most folks around here. (stray shot wise)
Illinois 'gun' days: There's the 7 day regular gun seasons(1st and second) in which shotguns, muzzleloaders and handguns are legal. The muzzleloader only season (3 days). A special CWD season (3 days) in certain counties. The 3 day late winter 'antlerless' season (shotgun, muzzleloader and handgun) in which bucks that have already shed get shot. There is also the youth gun season (two days) in early October.
There is talk now of adding more gun days in '09.