ILL State Ink

Best tattoo shop hands down! The work that comes out of this shop is so amazing! I highly recommend them. 2tone has been my tattoo artist for 12 years and my tattoos are as fresh in color as day one!

Just awesome and very professional. Not like other shops that are dirty and artists are drinking all the time. Definitely not a street shop. Looking for an inexpensive tat come here

Love this spot! Waited about a year after moving back before choosing a place to go… Already have two tattoos done by Neil! I recommended this place to a lot of my friends when they ask me where I got my work done. Really chill atmosphere– love you guys!

I’ve been getting my tattoos from Neil for about 4 years now (even before ILL State) and there are reasons why I always come to him: Neil is very professional, easy-​going, easy to talk to, loves and cares about his craft, and most importantly — cares about his customers and the art he does on their bodies. He’s track record and portfolio speak for themselves. I’ve always felt comfortable sharing my ideas with him because he listens and gives his honest opinion and expert advice.
The shop itself is nice, clean, and laid back with a lot of open space and seating and art everywhere. Everyone is chill and it’s always a good time there with people coming in and out and tunes in the background. The location is also very accessible with plenty of street parking.
i highly recommend ILL State and all of there artists. Swing by the shop and see for yourself.

the best tattoo shop around. Marty did a fantastic job, talented for sure… the shop is very clean, sanitary and professional. I will not go anywhere else in chicago

My experience there was exceptional! Marty was my guy and he was so professional and sick on his detail work. I highly recommend him but overall the whole shop is well worth your money… Great shop!

Great work by incredibly talented artists. Very clean, very professional. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Would recommend to anyone. Will absolutely be back again.

I recently had some work done by Marty BCardy and couldn’t be more excited about the finished product. As this was the first tattoo I’ve gotten in Chicago, I shopped around for the shop and artist I felt would be the right fit for me. ILL State Ink was at the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention back in March and that is when I first saw the artists in action. I was impressed from the start. Marty was a real treat to work with. I knew what I wanted to incorporate into my piece but was not quite sure how to go about it. Marty came up with a great concept that really emcompassed everything I wanted and more. All of the artists I saw were super friendly and they really make their clients feel at home. Their prices are also extremely reasonable for the excellent quality of work that is done. I will continue to be a customer of ILL State Ink and you should too!

As a former New Yorker, I hated to leave my artist (Kevin at Black Fish). I did some research on Chicago shops like Metamorph and Deluxe – and no doubt they have great artists – but they charge $ 200 an hour, which I find totally ridiculous. Getting a tattoo is a really important decision and it’s nice to have an artist that charges by the piece – something I’m used to. Drawing up a piece can take a few hours alone so… yeah. Prices are totally fair but I was really blown away by the great service.
My artist, Marty, is a total rock star. He’s got a light touch and a true eye for art – smooth shading, excellent portraits and a whole host of badass tattoos in both color and back and grey. I’m a black and grey girl myself but I would feel totally confident in either medium (Another detail – Marty’s lettering is SICK. The best I’ve ever seen). Marty has a great eye for style. I’m super picky but I found myself constantly asking his opinion, which is a pretty big deal for what has become an awesome chest piece with a very recognizable image (from Smashing Pumpkins’d Mellon Collie vinyl).
ILL State is relatively new and I think that’s awesome. I was burned by Jade Dragon (who hasn’t?) when I was much younger and was really scarred (literally). Marty made me totally comfortable, the music is chill, and I prefer night appointments because they’re’really rad. The atmosphere is light-​hearted, the artists are funny and there’s no need for headphones – Marty’s a cool guy to chat with. I learned a lot more about the tattoo process and machines (don’t call ‘em guns!) and he made sure I was comfortable 100% of the time by laying me back, taking breaks if needed and lots of laughs.
I 100% recommend ILL State – these guys (and girl – don’t forget Kola!) are totally ill… hence the name. Walk-​ins welcome but make an appt – guaranteed good times and. My skin is pale and really sensitive and I healed in four days completely. Make it a Marty evenning – you won’t be disappointed!

I was here yesterday to get a tattoo done by the wonderful and extremely talented Marty! A friend of mine had recommended him to me she had got a tattoo done with him last year and it was perfect!
He came in on his day off especially and he was so professional and friendly I was so happy with the service and my tattoo is stunning ! i would highly recommend these guys!!! I will be back!

I went into ILL State Ink today (as a walk-​in) looking to get a tattoo.
The shop is brightly lit, clean, and played some overall enjoyable music. Parking is pretty easy, too (either pay on the street out front or park for free around the corner).
I was helped immediately by Marty and the rest of the staff picked their heads up to say hello as I walked in (a kind of welcome that I’ve never experienced at any other tattoo shop). I felt comfortable immediately.
As for the process of getting the tattoo, Marty was great. I’ve actually never had such an enjoyable tattoo experience before. The artist was super friendly and his work looks great as well.
I think I’ll be coming back here in the future for all of my tattoos.

What a group of lovable and talented artists. The shop is extremely clean with a very welcoming atmosphere. I’m currently looking forward to having some more work done by Neil. My first piece by Neil was done over a year ago and still looks fresh! The shop is organized, and I must mention it again, very CLEAN. When you look at each artist’s work you can tell that they put in the time and passion that is needed for high quality tattoos. I would highly recommend ILL STATE INK for your tattooing needs!!!

Neil is kind of a big deal; however, all the artists rock. The artists are extremely talented and super friendly. I have never gotten a tattoo from there that I disliked. It has been and will continue to be my go-​to shop.

Very pleased with my tatt by marty bcardy great comfortable atmosphere allready thinking of new tatts for the future most def worth cecking out prices are on point also not overpriced like most shops in the city

This is a place where I went to get my first tattoo last year. It was done by Neil it was great atmosfer and sanitation. Later on I went there for my second tattoo from Marty awesome artist and so much fun. The third tattoo I got like 2 months ago from 2 tone I had some much fun this guys have outstanding skills and I recommend Illstateink for everybody who wants to get fresh ink and have some fun this is the place that you should visits. This is my spot for life see you all there !!!

I am so into this shop! It has a lot of personality.
Its clean and professional but also local and unpretentious. All the artist’s portfolios are very impressive.
Julius did the drawing and tattoo for me and it turned out just like I pictured in my head. It was a fair price and and overall good experience.
I will definitely go back to him:)

Best Tattoo Shop in Chicago… Marty is the BEST!!!

I have gotten two tattoos done by Neil Carter. He has was super professional and sweet. The shop is very clean and parking isn’t so bad. He made me feel very comfortable and relaxed when I was getting my very first tattoo and 2^nd tattoo. I loved the design and we emailed/​spoke all the time in regards to the tattoo I wanted while he was designing it. He designed my foot tattoo and it was beyond perfect in every way. It was like he knew excatly what I thinking. I have recommended Neil to many friends and they have all been pleased as well. If your looking for a great tattoo artist ask for Neil Carter!

I have yet to get my tattoo done, but have been working with Neil on getting a design together. Very impressed with how professional and organized he is, much different experience than a lot of the other shops Ive been to in the past. All the work I’ve seen them doing in there looks great, too.

I was back in the U. S over the summer and wanted to get some more work done. Neil over at IllState Ink was recommended to me by a friend. I called and made an appointment. A few days later I showed up a little late. but wasn’t a problem at all.
Work was quality and exactly what I was looking for. Very professional and clean. My experience with tattoo shops is usually getting there then waiting around for a bit as they draw and re-​draw. Neil had a few drawings ready to go, we talked about them a bit, he made some slight alterations then straight to hearing that smooth metallic drum sound a needle makes as it passes in and out of your skin.
Neil was actually pretty cool to chat with too. Spent about 6 hours on his table and didn’t get bored. Interesting guy. Neil had this doll pinned to his shirt, which I thought was kinda funny but he had a whole story behind it, so I guess a little more then fashion.
Anyway I would completely go back. 100% recommend and endorse this place. Next time I’m in Chicago I’ll be at Ill State Ink getting more work done, you can guarantee it.