U.S. House candidate Kat Abughazaleh joined demonstrators outside a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center in Chicago in September.
More than 80 "No Kings" rallies are planned across Illinois Saturday, March 28, to protest President Donald Trump and his administration's policies on immigration enforcement, the conflict in Iran and more.
Here's a breakdown of what protesters can and can't do in Illinois.
Is it legal to protest in Illinois?
Protesting and participating in rallies or marches are protected under the First Amendment, though these rights come with limitations.
Here are a few non-exhaustive rules Illinois protestors must follow, according to the ACLU of Illinois and Illinois Legal Aid Online.
- Your right to free speech is strongest in public spaces, such as streets, sidewalks and parks.
- You can typically speak out on other public property, like plazas in front of government buildings, as long as you are not blocking access to the building or interfering with any other purposes of the building.
- You must receive permission from the owner to protest on private property. You may protest on your own private property.
- Counterprotests should receive the same rights as protests, and the two should be allowed within sight and sound of the other, but antagonistic groups should be separated.
- You can photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police, while protesting on public property.
- You must get consent from the owner to enter private property to photograph or film.
- You don't need a permit to march on sidewalks or streets, as long as you are not blocking pedestrian or car traffic.
- Marches or parades that require blocking traffic or street closures, large rallies requiring the use of sound amplifying devices or rallies over a certain size may require permits.
- Permits cannot be denied because the event is controversial, filing procedures weren't followed in time before a breaking news event or the application fee was too high.
- You cannot disrupt public order or harm others while protesting.
- You cannot incite imminent violence or crime while protesting.
Can I take video of ICE or law enforcement in Illinois?
Several First Amendment organizations, including the ACLU of Illinois, confirm Americans have a First Amendment right to observe and record law enforcement and other government employees while they do their jobs publicly. This includes ICE officers.
"To be clear, if you witness ICE activity in our community, you have the right to record a federal officer in public - including those engaged in immigration enforcement," the organization says on its website. "The ACLU of Illinois encourages people recording those interactions to do so from a safe distance that does not obstruct the activity."
The organization goes on to say, "If you have suffered retaliation for exercising your First Amendment rights, including for making a video recording of ICE agents or other federal officials, please contact the ACLU of Illinois."
Can you wear a mask at a protest in Illinois? What about an inflatable costume?
Illinois does not currently have any laws prohibiting face coverings at protests.
A bill that would've criminalized demonstrating in a mask in certain cases was introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives in 2017, but never passed. The bill would've made it a Class C misdemeanor to wear a mask, hood or other face covering with the intent to conceal one's identity from a "peace officer" with a few exceptions, according to the bill's summary.
A Chicago Police Department spokesperson told South Side Weekly in 2024 that police have wiggle room when it comes to arresting masked protesters, however.
"If a person taken into custody is wearing a protective mask, the mask will be removed for purposes of identification and photographing," the CPD spokesman said. "It will be determined by the arresting officer and/or the detention officer whether the protective mask poses a safety risk to the arrestee."
Overall, the ACLU of Illinois recommends wearing protective clothing like face masks, earplugs and long sleeves to protests, while making sure to cover identifying features like tattoos.
Can you bring a gun to a protest in Illinois?
Not only is bringing a gun to a protest not a particularly good idea, but it is also generally prohibited across Illinois to knowingly possess or carry a gun in public, according to Giffords Law Center.
Exceptions include those with a concealed carry license, who may carry a partially exposed handgun, as permitted by the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
Illinois is also one of 25 states who prohibit assault rifles and shotguns at state capitols and/or public demonstrations, according to Everytown Research and Policy.
More specifically, state law prohibits public drilling or parading with arms except in cases of education or "regularly organized militia" of the state.
What is 'No Kings'?
The protest's organizer, Indivisible, originally planned the June 14, 2025, demonstration as a "nationwide day of defiance" in response to the $40 million military parade President Donald Trump orchestrated on his birthday.
The movement preaches the idea that "America has No Kings," and says: "Now, President Trump has doubled down," referencing the recent actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, healthcare cuts and more.
"America does not belong to strongmen, greedy billionaires, or those who rule through fear," the website says. "It belongs to us, the people."
Where are 'No Kings' rallies happening in Illinois?
The times and addresses of the March 28 protests scheduled in Illinois can be found below. Events without addresses have private locations, and more details can be found after signing up on the "No Kings" website.
- Addison: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Algonquin: 10 a.m.-noon @ Fox River bridge
- Alton: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. @ Lincoln/Douglas Square
- Arlington Heights: 10 a.m.-noon @ Arlington Heights Clock Tower
- Aurora: 1-3 p.m. @ McCarty Park
- Barrington: 10-11 a.m. @ Barrington Metra Train Station
- Bartlett: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. @ Bartlett Veterans Memorial
- Belleville: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. @ Belleville Public Square
- Bloomington: Noon-1 p.m. @ Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
- Bolingbrook: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Buffalo Grove: 10 a.m.-noon
- Carbondale: Noon-2 p.m. @ Turley Park
- Charleston: Noon-2 p.m. @ Morton Park
- Chicago (Edgewater): Noon-2 p.m.
- Chicago (Lincoln Square): 10-11:30 a.m. @ Welles (Gideon) Park
- Chicago (Irving Park): 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. @ Independence Park
- Chicago (Lakeview): 1:30-2:30 p.m. @ Corner of Broadway & Melrose
- Chicago (Downtown): 1:30-4:30 p.m. @ Butler Field Grant Park
- Chicago (South suburbs): 2-5 p.m.
- Cicero: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. @ Cicero Town Hall
- Columbia: 10 a.m.-noon @ Columbia City Hall
- Crystal Lake: Noon-1:30 p.m.
- Danville: 10-11:30 a.m. @ Across from the Vermilion County Courthouse
- Decatur: 1-4 p.m. @ Corner of Eldo & Franklin
- DeKalb: Noon-2 p.m. @ Clinton Rosette Middle School
- Dixon: 2-3:30 p.m.
- Downers Grove: 1-3 p.m. (Pending village approval)
- Edwardsville: 3-5 p.m. @ City Park
- Effingham: 1-3 p.m. @ Sidewalk east of N Keller Drive
- Elgin: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. @ Corner of Kimball & Grove
- Elk Grove Village: 3-5 p.m. @ Rotary Green
- Elmhurst: 1:30-3 p.m. @ Elmhurst City Hall
- Evanston: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. @ Dawes Park
- Forest Park: 10 a.m.-noon @ Sidewalk in front of the Taco Bell
- Freeport: 11 a.m.-noon @ Freeport High School
- Galena: Noon-1:30 p.m. @ Location near Galena Main Street Bridge
- Galesburg: 2-4 p.m.
- Geneseo: 1-2:30 p.m. @ Geneseo Welcome Space
- Glen Ellyn: 10:30 a.m.-noon @ Roosevelt Road & Lambert Road, Roosevelt Road & Park Boulevard, Roosevelt Road & Main Street
- Glenview: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. @ Jackman Park
- Greenville: 3:30-4:30 p.m. @ Bond Co Courthouse
- Gurnee: 10 a.m.-noon @ Corner of Hunt Club Rd & Grand Ave
- Hampshire: Noon-3 p.m.
- Highland Park: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. @ Highland Park City Hall
- Hillsboro: Noon-1 p.m.
- Homewood: 1-3 p.m. @ Homewood Veterans Memorial
- Jacksonville: Noon-2 p.m.
- Joliet: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. @ Louis Joliet Mall
- Kankakee: 2-5 p.m.
- Kewanee: Noon-1:30 p.m.
- Lisle/Wheaton: 11 a.m.-noon
- Lockport: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. @ City Building Gazebo Area
- Lombard: 10:30 a.m.-noon @ Roosevelt Road & Main Street, Roosevelt Road & Fairfield Avenue, Roosevelt Road & Westmore-Meyers Road
- Macomb: Noon-1 p.m.
- McHenry: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Minooka: 5-7 p.m. @ Near CIBC Banking Center
- Monticello: 4:30-5:30 p.m. @ Piatt County Courthouse
- Morris: 2:30-4 p.m. @ Eagle Shopping Center