Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

Filed: 3/1/2023

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 2461

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 2461 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by changing
5Sections 2.33a, 2.36, 2.37, and 3.5 as follows:
 
6    (520 ILCS 5/2.33a)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.33a)
7    Sec. 2.33a. Trapping.
8    (a) It is unlawful to fail to visit and remove all animals
9from traps staked out, set, used, tended, placed or maintained
10at least once each calendar day.
11    (b) It is unlawful for any person to place, set, use, or
12maintain a leghold trap or one of similar construction on
13land, that has a jaw spread of larger than 6 1/2 inches (16.6
14CM), or a body-gripping trap or one of similar construction
15having a jaw spread larger than 7 inches (17.8 CM) on a side if
16square and 8 inches (20.4 CM) if round.

 

 

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1    (c) It is unlawful for any person to place, set, use, or
2maintain a leghold trap or one of similar construction in
3water, that has a jaw spread of larger than 7 1/2 inches (19.1
4CM), or a body-gripping trap or one of similar construction
5having a jaw spread larger than 10 inches (25.4 CM) on a side
6if square and 12 inches (30.5 CM) if round.
7    (d) It is unlawful to use any trap with saw-toothed,
8spiked, or toothed jaws.
9    (e) It is unlawful to destroy, disturb or in any manner
10interfere with dams, lodges, burrows or feed beds of beaver
11while trapping for beaver or to set a trap inside a muskrat
12house or beaver lodge, except that this shall not apply to
13individuals who Drainage Districts that are acting pursuant to
14the provisions of Section 2.37 or as provided for by
15administrative rule.
16    (f) It is unlawful to trap beaver or river otter with: (1)
17a leghold trap or one of similar construction having a jaw
18spread of less than 5 1/2 inches (13.9 CM) or more than 7 1/2
19inches (19.1 CM), or (2) a body-gripping trap or one of similar
20construction having a jaw spread of less than 7 inches (17.7
21CM) or more than 10 inches (25.4 CM) on a side if square and 12
22inches (30.5 CM) if round, except that these restrictions
23shall not apply during the open season for trapping raccoons.
24    (g) It is unlawful to set traps closer than 10 feet (3.05
25M) from any hole or den which may be occupied by a game mammal
26or fur-bearing mammal except that this restriction shall not

 

 

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1apply to water sets.
2    (h) It is unlawful to trap or attempt to trap any
3fur-bearing mammal with any colony, cage, box, or stove-pipe
4trap designed to take more than one mammal at a single setting.
5    (i) It is unlawful for any person to set or place any trap
6designed to take any fur-bearing mammal protected by this Act
7during the closed trapping season. Proof that any trap was
8placed during the closed trapping season shall be deemed prima
9facie evidence of a violation of this provision.
10    (j) It is unlawful to place, set, or maintain any leghold
11trap or one of similar construction within thirty (30) feet
12(9.14 m) of bait placed in such a manner or position that it is
13not completely covered and concealed from sight, except that
14this shall not apply to underwater sets. Bait shall mean and
15include any bait composed of mammal, bird, or fish flesh, fur,
16hide, entrails or feathers.
17    (k) (Blank).
18    (l) It is unlawful for any person to place, set, use or
19maintain a snare trap or one of similar construction in water,
20that has a loop diameter exceeding 15 inches (38.1 CM) or a
21cable or wire diameter of more than 1/8 inch (3.2 MM) or less
22than 5/64 inch (2.0 MM), that is constructed of stainless
23steel metal cable or wire, and that does not have a mechanical
24lock, anchor swivel and stop device to prevent the mechanical
25lock from closing the noose loop to a diameter of less than 2
261/2 inches (6.4 CM).

 

 

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1    (m) It is unlawful to trap muskrat or mink with (1) a
2leghold trap or one of similar construction or (2) a
3body-gripping trap or one of similar construction unless the
4body-gripping trap or similar trap is completely submerged
5underwater when set. These restrictions shall not apply during
6the open season for trapping raccoons.
7(Source: P.A. 99-33, eff. 1-1-16; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)
 
8    (520 ILCS 5/2.36)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.36)
9    Sec. 2.36. It shall be unlawful to buy, sell or barter, or
10offer to buy, sell or barter, and for a commercial
11institution, other than a regularly operated refrigerated
12storage establishment, to have in its possession any of the
13wild birds, or any part thereof (and their eggs), or wild
14mammals or any parts thereof, protected by this Act unless
15done as hereinafter provided:
16    Game birds or any parts thereof (and their eggs), may be
17held, possessed, raised and sold, or otherwise dealt with, as
18provided in Section 3.23 of this Act or when legally produced
19under similar special permit in another state or country and
20legally transported into the State of Illinois; provided that
21such imported game birds or any parts thereof, shall be marked
22with permanent irremovable tags, or similar devices, to
23establish and retain their origin and identity;
24    Rabbits may be legally taken and possessed as provided in
25Sections 3.23, 3.24, and 3.26 of this Act;

 

 

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1    Deer, or any parts thereof, may be held, possessed, sold
2or otherwise dealt with as provided in this Section and
3Sections 3.23 and 3.24 of this Act;
4    If a properly tagged deer is processed at a licensed meat
5processing facility, the meat processor at the facility is an
6active member of the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger
7program, and the owner of the deer (i) fails to claim the
8processed deer within a reasonable time or (ii) notifies the
9licensed meat processing facility that the owner no longer
10wants the processed deer, then the deer meat may be given away
11by the licensed meat processor to another person or donated to
12any other charitable organization or community food bank that
13receives wild game meat. The licensed meat processing facility
14may charge the person receiving the deer meat a reasonable and
15customary processing fee;
16    Meat processors who are active members of the Illinois
17Sportsmen Against Hunger program shall keep written records of
18all deer received. Records shall include the following
19information:
20        (1) the date the deer was received;
21        (2) the name, address, and telephone number of the
22    person from whom the deer was received;
23        (3) whether the deer was received as a whole carcass
24    or as deboned meat; if the deer was brought to the meat
25    processor as deboned meat, the processor shall include the
26    weight of the meat;

 

 

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1        (4) the number and state of issuance of the permit of
2    the person from whom the deer was received; in the absence
3    of a permit number, the meat processor may rely on the
4    written certification of the person from whom the deer was
5    received that the deer was legally taken or obtained; and
6        (5) if the person who originally delivered the deer to
7    the meat processor fails to collect or make arrangements
8    for the packaged deer meat to be collected and the meat
9    processor gives all or part of the unclaimed deer meat to
10    another person, the meat processor shall maintain a record
11    of the exchange; the meat processor's records shall
12    include the customer's name, physical address, telephone
13    number, as well as the quantity and type of deer meat given
14    to the customer. The meat processor shall also include the
15    amount of compensation received for the deer meat in his
16    or her records.
17    Meat processor records for unclaimed deer meat shall be
18open for inspection by any peace officer at any reasonable
19hour. Meat processors shall maintain records for a period of 2
20years after the date of receipt of the wild game or for as long
21as the specimen or meat remains in the meat processors
22possession, whichever is longer;
23    No meat processor shall have in his or her possession any
24deer that is not listed in his or her written records and
25properly tagged or labeled;
26    All licensed meat processors who ship any deer or parts of

 

 

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1deer that have been held, possessed, or otherwise dealt with
2shall tag or label the shipment, and the tag or label shall
3state the name of the meat processor;
4    Nothing in this Section removes meat processors from
5responsibility for the observance of any State or federal
6laws, rules, or regulations that may apply to the meat
7processing business;
8    Fur-bearing mammals, or any parts thereof, may be held,
9possessed, sold or otherwise dealt with as provided in
10Sections 3.16, 3.24, and 3.26 of this Act or when legally taken
11and possessed in Illinois or legally taken and possessed in
12and transported from other states or countries;
13    It is unlawful for any person to act as a nuisance wildlife
14control operator without a permit as provided in subsection
15(b) of Section 2.37 of this Act.
16    The inedible parts of game mammals may be held, possessed,
17sold or otherwise dealt with when legally taken, in Illinois
18or legally taken and possessed in and transported from other
19states or countries.
20    Failure to establish proof of the legality of possession
21in another state or country and importation into the State of
22Illinois, shall be prima facie evidence that such game birds
23or any parts thereof, and their eggs, game mammals and
24fur-bearing mammals, or any parts thereof, were taken within
25the State of Illinois.
26(Source: P.A. 97-567, eff. 8-25-11.)
 

 

 

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1    (520 ILCS 5/2.37)  (from Ch. 61, par. 2.37)
2    Sec. 2.37. Authority to kill wildlife responsible for
3damage.
4    (a) Subject to federal regulations and Section 3 of the
5Illinois Endangered Species Act, the Department may authorize
6owners and tenants of lands or their agents, who are
7performing the service without fee or compensation, to remove
8or destroy any wild bird or wild mammal when the wild bird or
9wild mammal is known to be destroying property or causing a
10risk to human health or safety upon his or her land.
11    Upon receipt by the Department of information from the
12owner, tenant, or sharecropper that any one or more species of
13wildlife is damaging dams, levees, ditches, cattle pastures,
14or other property on the land on which he resides or controls,
15together with a statement regarding location of the property
16damages, the nature and extent of the damage, and the
17particular species of wildlife committing the damage, the
18Department shall make an investigation.
19    If, after investigation, the Department finds that damage
20does exist and can be abated only by removing or destroying
21that wildlife, a permit shall be issued by the Department to
22remove or destroy the species responsible for causing the
23damage.
24    A permit to control the damage shall be for a period of up
25to 90 days, shall specify the means and methods by which and

 

 

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1the person or persons by whom the wildlife may be removed or
2destroyed, without fee or compensation, and shall set forth
3the disposition procedure to be made of all wildlife taken and
4other restrictions the Director considers necessary and
5appropriate in the circumstances of the particular case.
6Whenever possible, the specimens destroyed shall be given to a
7bona-fide public or State scientific, educational, or
8zoological institution.
9    The permittee shall advise the Department in writing,
10within 10 days after the expiration date of the permit, of the
11number of individual species of wildlife taken, disposition
12made of them, and any other information which the Department
13may consider necessary.
14    (b) Subject to federal regulations and Section 3 of the
15Illinois Endangered Species Act, the Department may grant to
16an individual, who is providing such service for a fee or
17compensation, corporation, association or a governmental body
18the authority to control species protected by this Code
19pursuant to the issuance of a Nuisance Wildlife Control
20Permit. The Department shall set forth applicable regulations
21in an Administrative Order and may require periodic reports
22listing species taken, numbers of each species taken, dates
23when taken, and other pertinent information.
24    Any person operating under a Nuisance Wildlife Control
25Permit who subcontracts the operation of nuisance wildlife
26control to another is responsible to ensure that such

 

 

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1subcontractor possesses a valid Nuisance Wildlife Control
2Permit issued by the Department. The person must maintain a
3record of the subcontractor including the subcontractor's
4name, address, and phone number, and type of work to be
5performed, for a period of not less than 2 years from the date
6the subcontractor is no longer performing services on behalf
7of the person. The records shall be presented to an authorized
8employee of the Department or law enforcement officer upon
9request for inspection.
10    Any person operating without the required permit as
11outlined under this subsection (b) or in violation of this
12subsection (b) is deemed to be taking, attempting to take,
13disturbing, or harassing wildlife contrary to the provisions
14of this Code, including the taking or attempting to take such
15species for commercial purposes as outlined in Sections 2.36
16and 2.36a of this Code. Any devices and equipment, including
17vehicles, used in violation of this subsection (b) may be
18subject to the provisions of Section 1.25 of this Code.
19    (c) Except when operating under subsection (b) of this
20Section, drainage districts Drainage Districts shall have the
21authority to control beaver provided that they must notify the
22Department in writing that a problem exists and of their
23intention to trap the animals at least 7 days before the
24trapping begins. The district District must identify traps
25used in beaver control outside the dates of the furbearer
26trapping season with metal tags with the district's name

 

 

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1legibly inscribed upon them. During the fur trapping
2furtrapping season, traps must be identified as prescribed by
3law. Conibear traps at least size 330 shall be used except
4during the statewide furbearer trapping season. During that
5time trappers may use any device that is legal according to the
6Wildlife Code. Except during the statewide furbearer trapping
7season, beaver traps must be set in water at least 10 inches
8deep. Except during the statewide furbearer trapping season,
9traps must be set within 10 feet of an inhabited bank burrow or
10house and within 10 feet of a dam maintained by a beaver. No
11beaver or other furbearer taken outside of the dates for the
12furbearer trapping season may be sold. All animals must be
13given to the nearest conservation officer or other Department
14of Natural Resources representative within 48 hours after they
15are caught unless otherwise instructed by the Department.
16Furbearers taken during the fur trapping season may be sold
17provided that they are taken by persons who have valid
18trapping licenses in their possession and are lawfully taken.
19The district District must submit an annual report showing the
20species and numbers of animals caught. The report must
21indicate all species which were taken. This authority only
22extends to control of beavers. Any other protected species
23must be controlled pursuant to subsection (b) or (c).
24    The location of traps or snares authorized under this
25Section, either by the Department or any other governmental
26body with the authority to control species protected by this

 

 

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1Code, shall be exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of
2Information Act.
3(Source: P.A. 102-524, eff. 8-20-21.)
 
4    (520 ILCS 5/3.5)  (from Ch. 61, par. 3.5)
5    Sec. 3.5. Penalties; probation.
6    (a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of
7Section 2.36a, including administrative rules, shall be guilty
8of a Class 3 felony, except as otherwise provided in
9subsection (b) of this Section and subsection (a) of Section
102.36a.
11    (b) Whenever any person who has not previously been
12convicted of, or placed on probation or court supervision for,
13any offense under Section 1.22, 2.36, or 2.36a operating
14without a permit as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section
152.37 or subsection (i) or (cc) of Section 2.33, the court may,
16without entering a judgment and with the person's consent,
17sentence the person to probation for a violation of Section
182.36a.
19        (1) When a person is placed on probation, the court
20    shall enter an order specifying a period of probation of
21    24 months and shall defer further proceedings in the case
22    until the conclusion of the period or until the filing of a
23    petition alleging violation of a term or condition of
24    probation.
25        (2) The conditions of probation shall be that the

 

 

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1    person:
2            (A) Not violate any criminal statute of any
3        jurisdiction.
4            (B) Perform no less than 30 hours of community
5        service, provided community service is available in
6        the jurisdiction and is funded and approved by the
7        county board.
8        (3) The court may, in addition to other conditions:
9            (A) Require that the person make a report to and
10        appear in person before or participate with the court
11        or courts, person, or social service agency as
12        directed by the court in the order of probation.
13            (B) Require that the person pay a fine and costs.
14            (C) Require that the person refrain from
15        possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon.
16            (D) Prohibit the person from associating with any
17        person who is actively engaged in any of the
18        activities regulated by the permits issued or
19        privileges granted by the Department of Natural
20        Resources.
21        (4) Upon violation of a term or condition of
22    probation, the court may enter a judgment on its original
23    finding of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided.
24        (5) Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of
25    probation, the court shall discharge the person and
26    dismiss the proceedings against the person.

 

 

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1        (6) A disposition of probation is considered to be a
2    conviction for the purposes of imposing the conditions of
3    probation, for appeal, and for administrative revocation
4    and suspension of licenses and privileges; however,
5    discharge and dismissal under this Section is not a
6    conviction for purposes of disqualification or
7    disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime.
8        (7) Discharge and dismissal under this Section may
9    occur only once with respect to any person.
10        (8) If a person is convicted of an offense under this
11    Act within 5 years subsequent to a discharge and dismissal
12    under this Section, the discharge and dismissal under this
13    Section shall be admissible in the sentencing proceeding
14    for that conviction as a factor in aggravation.
15        (9) The Circuit Clerk shall notify the Illinois State
16    Police of all persons convicted of or placed under
17    probation for violations of Section 2.36a.
18    (c) Any person who violates any of the provisions of
19Sections 2.9, 2.11, 2.16, 2.18, 2.24, 2.25, 2.26, 2.29, 2.30,
202.31, 2.32, 2.33 (except subsections (g), (i), (o), (p), (y),
21and (cc)), 2.33-1, 2.33a, 3.3, 3.4, 3.11 through 3.16, 3.19,
223.20, 3.21 (except subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (f.5),
23(g), (h), and (i)), 3.24, 3.25, and 3.26 (except subsection
24(f)), including administrative rules, shall be guilty of a
25Class B misdemeanor.
26    A person who violates Section 2.33b by using any computer

 

 

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1software or service to remotely control a weapon that takes
2wildlife by remote operation is guilty of a Class B
3misdemeanor. A person who violates Section 2.33b by
4facilitating a violation of Section 2.33b, including an owner
5of land in which remote control hunting occurs, a computer
6programmer who designs a program or software to facilitate
7remote control hunting, or a person who provides weapons or
8equipment to facilitate remote control hunting, is guilty of a
9Class A misdemeanor.
10    Any person who violates any of the provisions of Sections
111.22, 2.2a, 2.3, 2.4, 2.36 and 2.38, including administrative
12rules, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Any second or
13subsequent violations of Sections 2.4 and 2.36 shall be a
14Class 4 felony.
15    Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act,
16including administrative rules, during such period when his
17license, privileges, or permit is revoked or denied by virtue
18of Section 3.36, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
19    Any person who violates subsection (g), (i), (o), (p),
20(y), or (cc) of Section 2.33 shall be guilty of a Class A
21misdemeanor and subject to a fine of no less than $500 and no
22more than $5,000 in addition to other statutory penalties. In
23addition, the Department shall suspend the privileges, under
24this Act, of any person found guilty of violating Section
252.33(cc) for a period of not less than one year.
26    Any person who operates without a permit in violation

 

 

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1subsection (b) of Section 2.37 is guilty of a Class A
2misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not less than $500. Any
3other violation of subsection (b) of Section 2.37 including
4administrative rules is a Class B misdemeanor.
5    Any person who violates any other of the provisions of
6this Act including administrative rules, unless otherwise
7stated, shall be guilty of a petty offense. Offenses committed
8by minors under the direct control or with the consent of a
9parent or guardian may subject the parent or guardian to the
10penalties prescribed in this Section.
11    In addition to any fines imposed pursuant to the
12provisions of this Section or as otherwise provided in this
13Act, any person found guilty of unlawfully taking or
14possessing any species protected by this Act, shall be
15assessed a civil penalty for such species in accordance with
16the values prescribed in Section 2.36a of this Act. This civil
17penalty shall be imposed by the Circuit Court for the county
18within which the offense was committed at the time of the
19conviction. Any person found guilty of violating subsection
20(b) of Section 2.37 is subject to an additional civil penalty
21of up to $1,500. All penalties provided for in this Section
22shall be remitted to the Department in accordance with the
23same provisions provided for in Section 1.18 of this Act,
24except that civil penalties collected for violation of
25Subsection (b) of Section 2.37 shall be remitted to the
26Department and allocated as follows: .

 

 

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1        (1) 60% to the Conservation Police Operations
2    Assistance Fund; and
3        (2) 40% to the Illinois Habitat Fund.
4(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)
 
5    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
6becoming law.".