Police said they were called to a home in the 300-block of Comstock Street around 12:15 p.m. When they arrived they found the boy inside and began lifesaving measures.
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The boy was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center where he remains in critical condition, police said. Shortly before 5 p.m. he was airlifted to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago for further treatment.
Police said it appears the child found an unsecured handgun in a bedroom of the residence and that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Police are still investigating how and where the child gained access to the weapon.
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The mother was at the home and is cooperating with the investigation, police said. They said she told them she had been in that bedroom with the child minutes before the shooting, but left the room to retrieve something and that's how quickly the tragedy occurred.
Police are still investigating exactly who that gun belongs to and whether criminal charges should be filed.
"Especially like this where there is a tragedy, there has to be some sort of accountability in a case like this, so that is something that is completely within the realm of this investigation," said Sgt. Dwayne English, Joliet Police Department.
Police are reminding gun owners to keep their weapons locked in a gun safe, unloaded if possible, with ammunition locked up in a separate location.