Clearing Customs and skipping connecting flight at ORD?

Question

I am coming back from Munich, connecting through ORD and onto Moline, IA. We have a 6 hour layover in Chicago but the drive to Moline is only 2. My question is this: After I clear immigrations and customs at ORD am I able to just leave the airport, rent a car and drive home? I have been told by some people you can do this and others have told me that if the customs agent sees that your bag tag reflects a connecting flight that they will make sure your bags get re-checked. Anyone know which is correct?

Answer 1

If your port of entry is ORD then that is where you will go through clearing customs irrespective of you having a connecting flight or not. Once you collect your bags and clear your customs check you are free to go wherever you want to go.