HJ0037LRB097 11725 CEL 54810 r

1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Every county in Illinois is required to have an
3animal control agency or a County Board to carry out the Animal
4Control Act; and
 
5    WHEREAS, It is the duty of the Administrator of the Animal
6Control Act, through sterilization, humane education, rabies
7inoculation, stray control, impoundment, quarantine, and any
8other means deemed necessary, to control and prevent the spread
9of rabies and to exercise dog and cat overpopulation control;
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, The County Board is required to provide necessary
12personnel, training, equipment, supplies, and facilities and
13operate pounds or contract for their operation as necessary to
14effectuate the Animal Control Act; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Controlling dangerous dogs and centralized
16reporting of dangerous dogs and bite case data are important
17public health and safety issues; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Training and certification may help ensure a
19certain level of competency and preparation among animal
20control wardens; and
 

 

 

HJ0037- 2 -LRB097 11725 CEL 54810 r

1    WHEREAS, 8 other states have instituted training programs
2for their animal control officers; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
5SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the General Assembly shall
6create a committee to explore dangerous dogs, bite statistics
7and reporting, and animal control training; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That the committee shall hold a minimum of 3
9hearings throughout the State, including one in Southern
10Illinois, and shall report its findings to the General Assembly
11on or before October 1, 2011, and, after the committee reports
12its findings, it is dissolved; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That the Department of Agriculture shall
14provided administrative and other support to the committee; and
15be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That the committee shall be co-chaired by a
17Representative appointed by the Speaker of the House of
18Representatives and a Representative appointed by the Minority
19Leader of the House of Representatives and a Senator appointed
20by the President of the Senate and a Senator appointed by the
21Minority Leader of the Senate; and be it further
 

 

 

HJ0037- 3 -LRB097 11725 CEL 54810 r

1    RESOLVED, That the committee shall consist of 20 members in
2addition to the co-chairpersons as follows: one pet owner
3appointed by the Governor; one veterinarian appointed by the
4Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association; one member
5appointed by the Illinois Farm Bureau; one employee of the
6Illinois Department of Agriculture appointed by the Director;
7one attorney appointed by the Illinois State Bar Association's
8Animal Law Section; one Illinois resident appointed by the Cat
9Fanciers Association; one person appointed by the Chicago
10Veterinary Medical Association; one humane society employee
11appointed by the Illinois Federation of Humane Societies; one
12animal control warden appointed by the Illinois Animal Control
13Association; one Illinois resident appointed by Best Friends
14Animal Society; one veterinarian appointed by Cook County
15Animal Control; one Assistant State's Attorney appointed by the
16Cook County State's Attorney's Office; one dog trainer
17appointed by PAWS Chicago; one Assistant State's Attorney
18appointed by the Madison County State's Attorney's Office; one
19member appointed by Safe Humane Chicago; one feral cat
20caretaker appointed by Alley Cat Allies; one animal behaviorist
21appointed by the University of Illinois College of Veterinary
22Medicine; one breeder appointed by the Illinois Federation of
23Dog Clubs and Owners; one attorney appointed by the Chicago Bar
24Animal Law Committee; and one veterinarian appointed by the
25Animal Protective League of Springfield; and be it further
 

 

 

HJ0037- 4 -LRB097 11725 CEL 54810 r

1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2delivered to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House
3of Representatives.