Illinois

Illinois Criminal Code 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of
   Weapons. (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use
   of weapons when he knowingly… (2) Carries or possesses
   with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a
   dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto,
   broken bottle or other piece of glass… or any other
   dangerous or deadly weapon of like character…
– 720 ILCS 5/33A-1… A person is considered armed with a
   dangerous weapon… when he carries on or about his person
   or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II
   weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife
   with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk,
   switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or
   dangerous weapon of like character.
– 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of Weapons. (a) A person
   commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he
   knowingly: (1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses
   or carries any… knife commonly referred to as a
   switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens
   automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring
   or other device in the handle of the knife, or a ballistic
   knife, which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as
   a projectile by means of a coil spring, elastic material,
   or compressed gas…
– 720 ILCS 5/33A-1… A person is considered armed with a
   dangerous weapon… when he carries on or about his person
   or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II
   weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife
   with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk,
   switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or
   dangerous weapon of like character.

  Illinois Case Law:
– “Possession of hunting knife is not a crime; however,
   knowingly carrying or possessing dangerous weapon with
   intent to use same unlawfully against another constitutes
   offense…” (1982)
– “Weapon not listed in statute can become “dangerous weapon”
   when it is used in a manner dangerous to well being of
   individual threatened, and knife with blade less than 3
   inches in length can be dangerous weapon if used in such
   manner.” (1991)
– “A straight-blade razor did not constitute a per se
   dangerous weapon, for purposes of armed violence
   charge…” (1987)
– “Walking cane, even if not per se dangerous, was…
   transformed by defendant’s usage into a dangerous weapon.”
   (1977)