You are pretty much screwed, blued, and tattooed if you live in Illinois, bud. Until the overthrow of dictator Daley, I don't think things will get any better.
I have a permit, and carry it mostly in my vehicle. Never had to pull it, but I had my hand on it one time under my coat, sweating! We we in downtown Dallas late one night after a play walking back to our car, and a guy was trailing us for a long time, and started approaching as we began getting in the car. When my hand went under my coat and I just stared at him, I think he got the point, and turned around and walked off.