So finally have my FOID, and I need advice on what gun is the best for home defense. It needs to be legal in the state of IL :]
 
I grew up in the Detroit area and I know exactly what it feels like to be terrorized by the possibility of a break in, many times we had attempted break ins but I would chase them off with one of my geeky katanas or my father would chase them off with his bat.
 
Luckily there was always a numbers in our favor situation because our house had a total of 3 capable men of which 2 were almost always home at the same time. Now it's just my girlfriend and I. We don't live in the worst area of IL but we live next to some very unsavory neighborhoods and crime has started to leak into our area recently. I just want to make sure that if one of us is caught alone we have a way to defend ourselves.
 
 
 
Also yes I have heard the whole you have a better chance of getting shot if you use a gun, because you are more likely to fight then run. However my fear is that one of us may not have the ability to run.

AK-47 is the tool.

Pm wrinvert. Lol

@Kanti I would love to own a AK-47 just for the shooting range, but I'm pretty sure they are illegal here :[
 
@everyone Thanks for the suggestions keep them coming! If there are any deciding factors please throw them in :] From cost of ammo (making it cheaper to practice at the range) to chances of jamming etc. I don't know much about guns so whichever one I get will be my learning tool.

Wow the Saiga looks like overkill, but I sure would not stick around with that pointed in my direction.

You can make em tiny to clear corners
 

 
 
You can pretty much customize them however you want.  I like this due to state regulations, it really gets the length down:
 

 
Plus, chicks REALLY dig Saigas
 

 
 

Get a Bazooka!! Its only one shot but it will leave a big impression!!

the best advice i always have is take a local gun shops pistol or home defense coarse first (most will offer loaner guns). try a few different ones and see what works for you. i carry a glock17 but keep a 1911 in my bedroom. a nice tactical shot gun with a 16-18" barrel work really well also(either mossberg 500 series or remington 870) and do not cost much.

zophar

wrinvert
the best advice i always have is take a local gun shops pistol or home defense coarse first (most will offer loaner guns). try a few different ones and see what works for you. i carry a glock17 but keep a 1911 in my bedroom. a nice tactical shot gun with a 16-18" barrel work really well also(either mossberg 500 series or remington 870) and do not cost much.

+1 to the Mossberg 500.You can pick up used ones for $120 to $175, and new ones are only like $250. The downside to the 500 is your limited to 6 rounds due to the design of the magazine tube. Although you may be able to modify that I just never looked into it. And there are quite a few of different acessories for them from the aftermarket world. And for a hand gun I carry and have a Springfield XDM .40, that was a personal preference which comes into play BIG time with a handgun.

The bolded part definitely. I do, though, think that all guns have preferences..I'm not a mossberg fan, I prefer browning, remington or benelli for shotguns..but that's me.
 

Thanks for all the great advice guys! with all these models I can now go prepared and perhaps try some of them out to make sure I get one that I will enjoy owning. It is important that I enjoy it as I will also be using it for shooting at the range.

aka_STEVE_b

Taurus Judge  or shotgun - for home defense

 
^^^  This!  The Taurus Judge is a revolver that fires both a .410 shotgun round and .45 colt.

*cough* saiga 12 *cough*
 
Due to my police state, I plan on going the 22 route since I can get it all pimped out legally.  It'll be FA with an assortment of rounds per mag,  so i get plenty of rico, slicing, and expanding every few rounds or so.
 
if i could,  SAIGA all day every day.

Hands down, The persuader!

Just the sound of the persuader loading a shell into the chamber, can be enough to persuade an intruder to leave.

If you buy one at Bass Pro or Cabela's, they'll tell on you to "Big Brother". You can get them many other ways

dreeder

... don't worry about it being legal.
... Almost every policeman will tell you (off the record) that a sawed off shotgun is important to have ...

 
Really?  (where's the faceplant emoticon?)
 
As an owner of several restricted and destructive devices and having worked with a number of FFL III SOT dealers and law enforcement agencies, I can state with some knowledge you'll get to deal with local, state and Federal agencies should you be caught with an unlicensed one of these (and yes, they are legal, but only if they are registered).  If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a shooting with an unlicensed destructive device (sawed off shotgun), your outlook for escaping huge criminal and civil liability is bleak. 
 
Back to the OP.  Contact your local gun store.  They are a wealth of information as it applies to you and your location.  ILL is not the most friendly gun state, but if you live anywhere else besides Chicago, you should only be subject to reasonable restrictions.  Go to your state's homepage and research gun laws.  Take a firearms class (NRA sanctioned.  Your dealer can point you in towards the appropriate class schedules).  Join your local state's gun owner's forum.
 
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of gun, whether it be a shotgun, handgun or rifle.  Everyone has an opinion on what is best, but what works for them may not work in your situation.  Do you have small children in the home?  Apartment or detached dwelling?  Rural or Urban?  These are all considerations.  
 
Finally, what works for me is a 340pd with CT grips.  This is also my daily CCW. I hope the red laser is intimidating, and the .357 Hornady FTX should be sufficient to apply the necessary force to protect my property and person.