2018 Legislation

PLEASE CALL THE HOUSE JUDICIARY-CIVIL

 COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE TORT LIABILITY SUB-COMMITTEE TO OPPOSE

HB4191 IMMUNITY DOG AND CAT LOCKED CAR AMENDMENT #2

MUST CALL BEFORE APRIL 10  

HB708CRIM PRO-ARREST-ANIMAL CRUELTY (WELCH E) 

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Requires a peace officer to arrest without a warrant or issue a notice to appear to any person who violates the cruel treatment, aggravated cruelty, animal torture, or animal fighting offenses under the Humane Care for Animals Act, or the sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal or dogfighting offenses under the Criminal Code of 2012. If the person arrested is not the owner of the animal, the peace officer must use reasonable diligence to notify the owner and provide care for the animal until turned over to the owner or owner's agent. Provides for the recovery of cost of care and limited liability for actions taken under the arrest and care provisions. Effective immediately.

HB2981ANIMAL PROSECUTION-ADVOCATE (BURKE D) 

House Committee Amendment No. 1 - Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides in a county with a population of more than 3,000,000 inhabitants (in the introduced bill, statewide) for the prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of an animal, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the animal. Provides that the court may select from a list of pro bono attorneys and law students compiled by the Cook County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with local and State bar associations for that purpose (in the introduced bill, compiled by the Department of Agriculture).

HB3668CHARITY-ANIMAL RIGHTS (MEIER C)  **OPPOSE**

Amends the Solicitation for Charity Act. Exempts any non-profit organization committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals that spends at least 80% of its annual solicited contributions on animal shelters and activities directly ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals within the State, which does not include promoting or opposing legislation by any legislative body or administrative costs of the organization, from registering and filing reports with the Attorney General.

HB3731ANIMALS-POLICE AND SERVICE (MOYLAN M) **SUPPORT**

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person who willfully or maliciously tortures, mutilates, injures, disables, poisons, or kills any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency or when placed in confinement off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty is guilty of a Class 3 felony (rather than a Class 4 felony) if the animal is killed or totally disabled and a person is guilty of a Class 2 felony (rather than a Class 3 felony) if the animal is killed or totally disabled. Provides that a person who kills or severely injures any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency of when placed off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty, while he or she is in the commission of a felony, is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that if an offender is found guilty of this offense, the offender shall be responsible for any veterinarian bills for an animal that was injured, and training costs for another animal, if the animal injured or killed is no longer able to be in service.

HB4191IMMUNITY-DOG & CAT-LOCKED CAR (OLSEN D) **OPPOSE**

LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT CALL TO OPPOSE

PLEASE CALL THE HOUSE JUDICIARY-CIVIL COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE TORT LIABILITY SUB-COMMITTEE 

HB4191 IMMUNITY DOG AND CAT LOCKED CAR AMENDMENT #2

MUST CALL BEFORE APRIL 10  

We find the following issues with HB4191 Amendment #2:

** The bill does not require the person who breaks into the vehicle to either render first aid to the presumably distressed animal, nor does it require the animal to be brought to a licensed veterinarian for immediate emergency care.

** This bill renders greater civil immunity to a citizen than for law enforcement personnel.

** There is no requirement for the concerned citizen to locate the vehicle owner in a store or wherever the vehicle is parked, in order to free the animal without the necessity of property damage.

** An animal owner has no recourse should their animal escape and be injured or killed after the concerned citizen breaks into the vehicle.

** The animal owner may be held responsible if their animal bites or otherwise injures the concerned citizen who is breaking into the vehicle.

** The bill does not address the differences in various dog breeds who can easily withstand hot or cold temperatures based on their breed characteristics and hair coat.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CALL !

Chair Andre Thapedi 217-782-1702

Ann Williams 217-782-2458

Avery Bourne 217-782-8071

Scott Drury 217-782-0902

Michael Halpin 217-782-5970

Thaddeus Jones 217-782-8087

Lindsey Pankhurst 217-782-5981

Emanuel Chris Welch 217-782-8120

Steven Andersson 217-782-5457

Peter Breen 217-782-8037

Jay Hoffman 217-782-0104

  VOTE NO on HOUSE BILL 4191

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person is immune from criminal liability for criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to vehicles resulting from his or her forcible entry into a vehicle and from civil liability for property damage if the person: determines the vehicle is locked or there is otherwise no reasonable method for the dog or cat to exit the vehicle; has a good faith belief that forcible entry into the vehicle is necessary because the dog or cat is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle, and based upon the circumstances known to the person at the time, the belief is a reasonable one; has made a good faith effort to contact a 9-1-1 emergency telephone system operator, law enforcement, or the fire department, and if contact is not possible prior to forcibly entering the vehicle, the person makes contact as soon as possible after forcibly entering the vehicle; makes a good a faith effort to place a notice on the vehicle's windshield with the person's contact information, the reason entry was made, the location of the dog or cat, and the fact that authorities have been notified; remains with the dog or cat in a safe location until law enforcement or emergency responders arrive; and uses no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle to remove the dog or cat. Effective immediately.

HB4221CHARITY-ANIMAL RIGHTS (MEIER C) **MONITOR**

Amends the Solicitation for Charity Act. Exempts any non-profit organization committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals that spends at least 80% of its annual solicited contributions on animal shelters and activities directly ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals within the State, which does not include promoting or opposing legislation by any legislative body or administrative costs of the organization, from registering and filing reports with the Attorney General.

HB4251COUNTY ANIMAL POPULATION FUND (BENNETT T) **MONITOR**

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that excess funds for the registration and microchipping of dogs and cats placed in the county animal population control fund may be transferred to the county treasury by a majority vote of the county board.

HB4380 DOG OR CAT-EXTREME WEATHER (SKILLICORN A)   **OPPOSE**

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no owner of a dog or cat that is a companion animal may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above or cold conditions of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below that could: (1) result in injury to or death of the animal; or (2) result in hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite, or similar condition as diagnosed by a doctor of veterinary medicine.

The Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners (IFDCO) is a dedicated group of dog fanciers from many professions who strive to keep the animal related laws of Illinois fair and reasonable. HB4380 seeks to set specific temperature limits for dogs without taking into consideration that many dogs that are used for working, hunting, guarding or who are simply pets can be acclimated to large temperature ranges without illness or injury.

* Illinois law is consistently rated the best in the nation for our dog protection laws. Adding arbitrary temperature maximums and minimums will do nothing to protect dogs from harm that is not already addressed current law. 

* Defining a specific temperature range will allow dogs that cannot tolerate these temperatures the possibility of harm by owners who will still be in compliance with the law, which may end up doing more harm.

* Dogs that are used for field trials, game hunting and herding or guarding livestock are well acclimated to outside temperatures. In 2016 AKC held 166 performance events in Illinois with over 6300 entries. These dogs are conditioned and perform what they were bred to do with no problem in inclement weather conditions.

* This bill may severely impact the ability of trainers and owners of hunting, guarding and search and rescue dogs to be able to perform their duties in all weather conditions. These dogs can be injured or die if they are not properly acclimated to all weather conditions when they are expected to work.

* There are many breeds of dogs that are bred to not only withstand cold weather but thrive in it. These dogs have naturally insulated double coats that protect them. Many Artic, spitz, guard and herding breeds all have this ability bred into them for centuries. Other short coated breeds thrive in hot weather like those that were bred to hunt and guard in Africa and other countries where higher temperatures are common.

Please call the Sponsor Representative Allen Skillicorn

(217) 782-0432

and fill out an opposition witness slip

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CALL AND FILL OUT A WITNESS SLIP!

We ask Illinois Dog Club Members to file on line witness slips to be sent to the hearing committee members to establish an opportunity to weigh in with the committee. Witness slips can be filed up to 15 minutes before a hearing begins. Your witness slips help with our effort to establish a dialogue with the sponsor of each bill.

HB4484 ​DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS DOGS (CABELLO J) 

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that if the Administrator, State's Attorney, or Director has investigated and reasonably determines that a dog is a vicious dog, that official may file a complaint in the circuit court in the name of the People of the State of Illinois to deem a dog to be a vicious dog. Deletes language providing that a citizen of the county in which the dog exists may file a complaint to commence a hearing to deem a dog to be a vicious dog. Provides that the changes are only effective to causes of actions accruing on or after the effective date of the bill. Provides that after a thorough investigation including: sending, within 10 business days of the Administrator or Director becoming aware of the alleged infraction, notifications to the owner of the alleged infractions, the fact of the initiation of an investigation, and affording the owner an opportunity to meet with the Administrator or Director prior to the making of a determination; gathering of any medical or veterinary evidence; interviewing witnesses; and making a detailed written report, an animal control warden, deputy administrator, or law enforcement agent may, after determining that there exists probable cause to believe that a dog is a dangerous dog, ask the Administrator, or his or her designee, or the Director, to deem a dog to be "dangerous". Effective immediately.

HB4510 ANIMALS-POLICE AND SERVICE (SAUER N) 

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person who willfully or maliciously tortures, mutilates, injures, disables, poisons, or kills any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency of when placed off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty, if the animal is not killed or totally disabled, the person is guilty of a Class 3 felony, and if the animal is killed or totally disabled, the person is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that a person who kills or severely injures any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency of when placed off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty, while he or she is in the commission of a felony, is guilty of a Class 2 felony. If the offender is found to be guilty under this Section, the offender shall be responsible for any veterinarian bills for an animal that was injured, and training costs for another animal, if the animal injured or killed is no longer able to be in service. Makes other changes.

HB4602 ANIMALS-GUIDE DOGS (BURKE K) 

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person may not recklessly permit a dog that is owned, harbored, or controlled by the person and off its owner's property or at large to cause injury to or the death of a guide, hearing, or support dog. Provides that a person convicted of this offense is guilty of a petty offense if the dog is not killed or totally disabled and is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor if the dog is killed or totally disabled, and may be ordered by the court to make restitution to the person with a disability having custody or ownership of the dog for veterinary bills and replacement costs of the dog. Provides that a person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this offense is guilty of a Class 4 felony if the dog is killed or totally disabled, and may be ordered by the court to make restitution to the person with a disability having custody or ownership of the dog for veterinary bill and replacement costs of the dog.

HB4603 ANIMALS-POLICE AND SERVICE (BURKE K) 

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person who willfully or maliciously tortures, mutilates, injures, disables, poisons, or kills any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency or when placed in confinement off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty is guilty of a Class 3 felony (rather than a Class 4 felony) if the animal is killed or totally disabled and a person is guilty of a Class 2 felony (rather than a Class 3 felony) if the animal is killed or totally disabled. Provides that a person who kills or severely injures any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency of when placed off duty, any service animal, any search and rescue dog, any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training, or any accelerant detection canine used by a fire officer for arson investigations in the performance of his or her functions or while off duty, while he or she is in the commission of a felony, is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that a person may not recklessly permit a dog that is owned, harbored, or controlled by the person and off its owner's property or at large to cause injury to or the death of a guide, hearing, or support dog.. Makes other changes.

HB4690 ANIMALS-POLICE DOG PROTECTION (SENTE C) 

Creates the Police Service Dog Protection Act. Provides that the law enforcement agency, or handler of the police dog shall be required to have every police dog receive, at minimum, an annual medical examination by a licensed veterinarian. Provides that prior to beginning service as a police dog, the employing law enforcement agency shall require the dog be vaccinated against rabies as required under the Animal Control Act. Provides that a vehicle used to transport a police dog shall be equipped with a heat sensor monitoring device which shall: (1) monitor the internal temperature of the vehicle in which the police dog is being transported; (2) provide an audible and visual notification in the vehicle if the interior temperature reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit which remotely notifies the law enforcement officer responsible for the police dog or the law enforcement agency's 24 hour dispatch center; and (3) have a safety mechanism to reduce the interior temperature of the vehicle.

HB4971 ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTRY (BURKE D) 

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and the State Finance Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall create and maintain an animal abuse registry. Requires a person 18 years of age or older who resides in or is domiciled in the State and has been convicted of specified offenses involving animal cruelty or torture to register with the Department to be placed on the registry. Requires a person required to register to pay an annual fee of $50 to the Department. Prohibits a person required to register from owning a companion animal or being employed at an animal shelter, pound, pet shop, zoo, or other business where companion animals are present. Creates the Animal Abuse Registry Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that registration fees shall be deposited into the Fund to be used by the Department for establishing and maintaining the animal abuse registry.

HB5246 ANIMAL WELFARE-DOG/CAT BREEDER (JIMENEZ WOJCICKI S) 

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that a person who sells, offers to sell, exchanges, or offers for adoption with or without charge cats that he or she has produced and raised, except for a person who owns, has possession of, or harbors 5 or less females capable of reproduction, is a cat breeder (rather than a kennel operator).. Provides that a person who sells, offers to sell, exchanges, or offers for adoption with or without charge dogs that he or she has produced and raised, except for a person who owns, has possession of, or harbors 5 or less females capable of reproduction, is a dog breeder (rather than a kennel operator).. Removes the definition of "cattery operator". Defines "day care operator". Makes provisions currently applicable to kennel operators and cattery operators applicable to dog breeders, cat breeders, and day care operators.

HB5477 ANIMAL SHELTER-TRANSFER REPORT (OLSEN D) 

PLEASE CALL THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT HB5477 SHELTER REPORTING 

MUST CALL BEFORE MONDAY APRIL 8th VOTE YES on HOUSE BILL 5477

** Illinois has no true idea of how many thousands of animals are being brought into Illinois from out of state or out of the country to fill shelters in need of place-able animals.

** These imported animals are now known to carry parasites and diseases that have been transferred to local animals and to humans. The canine flu epidemic has been traced to dogs brought in from out of the country, which has resulted in thousands of sick dogs in the US, and many dogs died from the disease.

** Shelters and rescue groups need to be responsible for reporting where these animals originated should a new disease outbreak occur. Local veterinarians who may have never seen certain parasites or diseases would be better able to diagnose and treat affected animals if they know where that animal was from originally.

** Diseases that have been well controlled under current laws are now resurfacing due to imported animals. Parvo virus, a highly contagious organism, has been more frequently reported in Illinois, with puppies dying from the disease. Brucellocis, which can be transmitted to humans, has also been reported in these transferred animals.

** The bill will allow the Department of Agriculture and organizations who track animal and human disease statistics to track known problems and discover any new issues associated with the importation of animals into Illinois.

 Call the House Agriculture Committee and ask them to VOTE YES on HOUSE BILL 5477

Agriculture COMMITTEE CONTACT INFORMATION:

Chairperson - Jerry Costello (217) 782-1018

Barbara Flynn Currie (217) 782-8121

Natalie Phelps Finnie (217) 782-5131

Brad Halbrook (217) 7828398

Michael Halpin (217) 782-5970

Sonya Harper (217) 782-5971

Lou Lang (217) 782-1252

Dave Severin (217) 782-1051

Avery Bourne (217) 782-8071

Daniel J Burke (217) 782-1117

Randy Frese (217) 782-8096

Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (217) 782-0044

Charles Meier (217) 782-6401

Daniel Swanson (217) 782-8032

Sue Scherer (217) 524-0353

Brian W. Stewart (217) 782-8186

Litesa E. Wallace (217) 782-3167

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that, as part of its annual renewal application, an animal shelter or animal control facility must report to the Department of Agriculture specific information concerning dogs and cats received from another state or country and specific information concerning disposition and manner of transfer of all dogs and cats that leave its facilities. Effective immediately.

HB5579 ANATOMICAL GIFT-RESCUE DOGS (BRADY D) Amends the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act. Provides that an anatomical gift may be made, for the training of search and rescue canines, to a person operating within a State agency, emergency management agency, or local law enforcement agency.

HB5666 VETERANS ANIMAL ADOPTION (SEVERIN D) 

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that an animal shelter that creates or has an existing program where veterans of the United States Armed Forces may adopt an animal at a discounted rate or at no charge, the Department of Agriculture shall charge a discounted fee for licensing or renewal for that animal shelter.

HB5667 ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTRY (WINGER C)

LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT CALL TO OPPOSE HB5667 ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTRY

PLEASE CALL THE HOUSE JUDICIARY - CRIMINAL COMMITTEE TO OPPOSE HB5667 ANIMAL

ABUSE REGISTRY MUST CALL BEFORE 12:00 PM MONDAY APRIL 9th  

** Animal abuse cases comprise less than 1% of all convictions in Illinois. The time, effort and money required to create and maintain the registry is not warranted simply due to the small number of abuse cases.

** The State of Illinois does not maintain public databases for convicted child abusers, domestic abusers, burglars or drug traffickers, all of which comprise a much greater percentage of felony convictions in Illinois.

** The bill lacks definition of psychiatric or physiological testing required to be removed from the registry. No such testing exists, nor will psychiatrists and psychologists accept liability without clearly defined testing procedures.

** The $50 annual registry fee will not cover the cost to set up and maintain a registry. Money would be better spent hiring additional Illinois Department of Agriculture (DOA) Inspectors to allow better enforcement of Illinois humane care laws.

** This bill creates felony restrictions upon the families of anyone who is required to register in that they cannot live with any companion animal.  

Call the House Judiciary - Criminal Procedure Committee to OPPOSE HB5667 Animal Abuse Registry

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CALL !

House Judiciary - Criminal Committee

Art Turner - (217) 782-8116

Kelly Cassidy - (217) 782-8088

Brian Stewart - (217) 782-8186

Terri Bryant - (217) 782-0387

John Cabello - (217) 782-0455

John Connor - (217) 782-4179

Rita Mayfield - (217) 558-1012

Christian Mitchell - (217) 782-2023

Lindsay Pankhurst - (217) 782-5981

Juliana Stratton - (217) 782-4535

Barbara Wheeler - (217) 782-1664

Will Guzzardi- (217) 558-1032

Justin Slaughter- (217) 782-0010

  VOTE NO on HOUSE BILL 5667

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the State Finance Act. Provides that the Department of State Police shall create and maintain an animal abuse registry. Requires a person 18 years of age or older who resides in or is domiciled in this State and has been convicted of specified offenses involving animal cruelty or torture to register with the Department to be placed on the registry. Requires a person required to register to pay an annual fee of $50 to the Department. Prohibits a person required to register from owning a companion animal or being employed at an animal shelter, pound, pet shop, zoo, or other business where companion animals are present. Creates the Animal Abuse Registry Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that registration fees shall be deposited into the Fund to be used by the Department for establishing and maintaining the animal abuse registry. Effective immediately.

HB5668  DHS-PET FRIENDLY DV SHELTERS (WINGER C) 

Amends the Domestic Violence Shelters Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to prioritize funding to domestic violence shelters and service programs that are equipped to provide shelter assistance to victims of domestic violence and their pets.

HB5790 SERVICE ANIMAL DEFINITION (HALPIN M) 

Amends the School Code, the Swimming Facility Act, the Humane Care for Animals Act, the Pedestrians with Disabilities Safety Act, the Criminal Code of 2012, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Defines "service animal" for the purposes of those Acts as an animal that has completed a formal training program for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a person's sensory, mental, physical, or psychiatric disability, including, but not limited to, a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic brain injury, by performing tasks for the benefit of that person that are directly related to the person's disability. Amends the Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for the purchase of a service animal that has completed a formal training program for the purposes of assisting or accommodating a person's sensory, mental, physical, or psychiatric disability, including, but not limited to, a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic brain injury, by performing tasks for the benefit of that person that are directly related to the person's disability, provided that the insured's health care provider certifies in writing that a service dog is medically necessary.

HB5807 ANIMAL WELFARE-PET SHOPS (HURLEY F) 

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that a pet shop operator may offer a dog, cat, or rabbit for sale only if the pet shop operator has obtained the dog, cat, or rabbit from an animal control facility, animal shelter, or rescue group. Provides that a pet shop operator shall maintain specified records of each dog, cat, or rabbit sold. Provides that the pet shop operator shall post a sign on the cage or enclosure of the animal listing the name of the animal control facility, animal shelter, or rescue group from which the animal was obtained. Provides for administrative fine for each violation of the provisions. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit a unit of local government from adopting requirements that are more protective of animal welfare than those set forth in the provisions. Makes conforming changes throughout the Act. Effective immediately.

HB5819 VETERINARY-ANIMAL CONTROL (MUSSMAN M) 

Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Provides that an employee of an animal control facility licensed under the Animal Welfare Act working under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian is exempt from the provisions of the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Effective immediately.

HJ61VETERANS - THERAPY DOGS (KIFOWIT S) 

Urges the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to research programs of identification and training for therapy dogs, especially therapy dogs designated for veterans, and provide a report to the General Assembly on possibilities for legislation to provide a certification program for therapy dogs in the State of Illinois.

Current Status: 1/30/2018 - Senate Veterans Affairs, (First Hearing)

State Bill Page: HJ61

HR364ANIMAL CRUELTY - REPORT (PARKHURST L) 

Urges the citizens of Illinois to educate themselves on the signs and types of companion animal cruelty so that they can report it when they see it.

HR480HEALTHY PET WEEK (NEKRITZ E) 

Declares the week of April 8-14, 2018 as Healthy Pet Week in the State of Illinois.

HR602RECOGNIZE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (JIMENEZ WOJCICKI S) 

Endorses the American Kennel Club's "Canine Good Citizen Program" and supports its efforts to promote responsible dog ownership in the State of Illinois.

SB1442ANIMAL PROSECUTION-ADVOCATE (HASTINGS M) **OPPOSE**

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of an animal, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the animal. Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois Department of Agriculture Law. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall compile a list comprised of pro bono attorneys and law students from each county who may serve as special advocates for these cases.

SB1510ANIMAL CRUELTY-EVERY ANIMAL (HOLMES L) 

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person who commits specified offenses against more than one animal may be charged with a separate offense for each animal that was treated in a manner violating the Act. Effective immediately.

Current Status: 3/17/2017 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Recent Status: 3/15/2017 - Postponed - Criminal Law

2/22/2017 - Assigned to Senate Criminal Law

Report Position: Oppose

SB1900DISEASED ANIMALS-RULE RECORDS (WEAVER C)

Amends the Illinois Diseased Animals Act. Deletes a provision providing that all rules of the Department of Agriculture, and all amendments or revocations of existing rules, shall be recorded in an appropriate book or books, shall be adequately indexed, shall be kept in the office of the Department, and shall constitute a public record and that the rules shall be printed in pamphlet form and furnished, upon request, to the public free of cost. Effective immediately.

SB1903COMPANION ANIMAL-COLD/HEAT (SILVERSTEIN I) 

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no owner of a companion animal (rather than a cat or dog that is a companion animal) may expose the companion animal in a manner that places that animal in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions that: (1) results in injury to or death of the animal; or (2) results in hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite, or similar condition as diagnosed by a doctor of veterinary medicine.

SB1995INS CD-SERVICE DOGS (CULLERTON T) 

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for the purchase of a service dog that is specially trained to assist blind, deaf, or mobility impaired persons or persons with a disability that is other than physical, including, but not limited to, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, provided the insured's treating health care provider certifies in writing that the service dog is medically necessary. Requires the service dog to be purchased from a nonprofit organization that is established for the training of such dogs and is an accredited member of a professional association of guide dog or service dog organizations.

SB2277IMMUNITY-ANIMALS IN LOCKED CAR (CONNELLY M) **OPPOSE**

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person is immune from criminal liability for criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to vehicles resulting from his or her forcible entry into a vehicle and from civil liability for property damage if the person: determines the vehicle is locked or there is otherwise no reasonable method for the animal to exit the vehicle; has a good faith belief that forcible entry into the vehicle is necessary because the animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed from the vehicle, and based upon the circumstances known to the person at the time, the belief is a reasonable one; has made a good faith effort to contact a 9-1-1 emergency telephone system operator, law enforcement, or the fire department, and if contact is not possible prior to forcibly entering the vehicle, the person makes contact as soon as possible after forcibly entering the vehicle; makes a good a faith effort to place a notice on the vehicle's windshield with the person's contact information, the reason entry was made, the location of the animal, and the fact that authorities have been notified; remains with the animal in a safe location until law enforcement or emergency responders arrive; and uses no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle to remove the animal. Effective immediately.

SB2280 ANIMAL WELFARE-PET SHOPS (M Connelly) **OPPOSE**

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides restrictions on the retail sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shop operators in Will County and DuPage County. Provides that pet shop operators may offer a dog, cat, or rabbit for sale only if the pet shop operator has obtained the dog, cat, or rabbit from an animal control facility, animal shelter, animal care facility, kennel, pound, or training facility operated by a subdivision of local, State, or federal government or a specified animal rescue organization. Provides that a pet shop operator shall not offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit that is younger than 8 weeks old. Provides that a pet shop operator shall maintain specified records of each dog, cat, or rabbit sold. Provides for civil penalties for each violation of the provisions. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit the county or a municipality in Will County or DuPage County from adopting requirements that are more protective of animal welfare than those set forth in the provisions. Provides that the home rule units in Will County or DuPage County may adopt an ordinance explicitly exempting itself from the provisions and requires a copy of the ordinance to be filed with the Index Department of the Secretary of State's Office. Limits the concurrent exercise of power by home rule units.

Talking Points Against SB2280:

SB2280 harms responsible pet breeders and retailers who are regulated under federal and/or state laws, while encouraging the sale of pets that come from unlicensed and unregulated sources that are not subject to federal animal welfare or Illinois consumer protection laws.

SB2280 will ban the sale of pets from known, regulated and inspected sources, and restrict pet shops to only sell pets from unregulated and uninspected sources (i.e., shelters, rescues, and other similar organizations).

SB2280 will dramatically reduce average Illinoisan' access and ability to choose a pet with the predictable type, mandated care, and substantiated health background that come with purebred pets from regulated sources. Individuals who lack the resources or do not have access to private hobby breeders will be the most directly impacted.

Because many communities lack sufficient local breeders to meet the demand for the specific pets desired by local residents, Illinois families seeking a puppy that is a specific breed from a professional breeder subject to USDA or state animal welfare standards will likely have little other alternative than to obtain a pet of unknown background, health history or status if SB2280 becomes law. If Illinois consumers are limited to acquiring a pet that is an inappropriate fit for their lifestyle, that animal is more likely to cycle back into the shelter system.

SB2280 does not require shelters or rescues to supply pet shops with dogs to sell. A lack of supply will prove economically disastrous for these businesses and the people who are employed by them.

The Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners and the American Kennel Club (AKC) emphatically supports freedom of choice in selecting a pet. IFDCO and AKC actively promotes efforts to ensure that people are educated, understand the demands of responsible ownership and have access to a pet that is right for them. IFDCO and AKC strongly opposes any measure that restricts choice by compelling people and/or retailers to obtain pets solely from shelter or rescue distributors.

WHY ALL ILLINOISANS NEED TO WORRY ABOUT SB2280:

As recent history has shown, many anti-breeder animal rights extremists continuously advocate for incremental breeding and sales restrictions that they hope will eventually lead to outright bans on all animal breeding and ownership. They collectively consider all breeders and pet stores as substandard and inherently not interested in practicing or promoting animal welfare. These politically-aware extremists recognize that most purebred dog fanciers and enthusiasts do not think of themselves as similar to, or aligned with, pet stores or professional breeders. As a result, they employ a “divide-and-conquer” governmental strategy to further split the political strength of breeder groups. This is the strategic foundation that SB2280 is built upon.

Over the past few years, a multitude of local jurisdictions have considered proposals to ban the sale of pets at pet stores. As the proposals move from one jurisdiction to another, the template stays largely the same. Proponents make inflammatory allegations about abuses by breeders (whom they collectively call “puppy mills”) or unsubstantiated or uneducated claims of animal population issues, and offer a solution that urges the sales or adoption of animals obtained from shelters and rescues. Animal rights groups count on the idea that the philosophical division between breeder groups will prevent them from uniting against their incremental, yet no less radical, agenda.

SB2280 seeks to ban the sale of pets from known, regulated and inspected sources (including breeders and handlers subject to federal licensing), and allow pet shops to only sell pets from unregulated and uninspected sources (i.e., shelters, rescues, and other similar organizations) that are not subject to state consumer protection laws or other guarantees. In essence, retail pet store bans, including SB2280, remove available consumer protections for new pet owners, limit the ability of pet owners to obtain the appropriate pet for their lifestyle, and potentially increase public health risks for the entire community. Furthermore, SB2280 will dramatically reduce every Illinoisans access and ability to choose a pet with the predictable type, mandated care, and substantiated health backgrounds that come with purebred pets from regulated sources.

SB 2280’s proponents misleadingly claim that the bill will promote the purchasing of purebred dogs from local breeders. That claim, however, fails to shed light on the many local anti-breeder laws they themselves have for decades successfully been advocating the adoption of in Illinois cities and counties. Unfortunately, those restrictions on breeders in local communities have made obtaining a specific type of dog bred by a local breeder increasingly difficult.

Predominantly, when governments attempt to limit the legitimate sources from which a person may obtain a pet, it not only interferes with individual freedoms, it also increases the likelihood that a person will obtain a pet that is not a good match for their lifestyle and the likelihood that that animal will end up in a shelter.

It has never been more important than it is now for all dog lovers and those concerned about the future of our breeds to work together to preserve the freedom of individuals to choose from a variety of pets and to find one that is the right match for each individual’s lifestyle. Such pets can come from a variety of sources including directly from the breeder, from a retailer, or from a shelter or rescue. The decision to acquire an appropriate pet should be made by consumers themselves, not by an arbitrary government mandate pushed for by extremists who ultimately seek the end of dog breeding and animal ownership.

SB2294LIABILITY-VEHICLE-ANIMAL/CHILD (MORRISON J) **OPPOSE**

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person is immune from criminal liability for criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to vehicles resulting from his or her forcible entry into a vehicle and from civil liability for property damage if a domestic animal was present in the vehicle and the person had a good faith belief that the domestic animal was in imminent danger of suffering bodily harm unless the domestic animal was removed from the vehicle or exited the vehicle if certain circumstances occur. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person is immune from criminal liability for damage to property and criminal trespass to vehicles resulting from his or her forcible entry into a locked vehicle and from civil liability for property damage if a child was present in the vehicle and the person had a good faith belief that the child was in imminent danger of suffering bodily harm unless the child was removed from the vehicle or exited the vehicle if certain circumstances occur. Effective immediately.

SB2313ANIMALS-COUNTY ANIMAL FUNDS (HOLMES L) **MONITOR**

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that ten dollars of the differential shall be placed either in a county animal population control fund (rather than or the State's Pet Population Control Fund). Provides that the dog's owner shall pay a $25 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund or the county pet population control fund (rather than $20 of which shall be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund and $5 of which shall be retained by the county or municipality). Deletes language providing that an animal control agency shall assist and share information with the Director of Public Health in the collection of public safety fines. Provides that the owner of a biting animal must also remit a $25 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund (rather than to the Department of Public Health, for deposit into the Pet Population Control Fund). Provides that if a dog is found to be a vicious dog, the owner shall pay a $100 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund (rather than the Pet Population Control Fund). Provides that if a dog is deemed dangerous, a $50 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund (rather than the Pet Population Control Fund). Amends the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act. Deletes language providing that the Director of Public Health must make an annual written report relative to the progress of the program to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor. Makes changes to the definitions of "Director" and "Department". Effective immediately.

SB2601 ANIMALS-CIVIL LIABILITY (HARMON D) **OPPOSE**

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that any act of commission or omission by an approved humane investigator shall not impose civil liability upon the approved humane investigator when conducting an inspection or otherwise enforcing the provisions under this Act, unless the commission or omission is a result of willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that this immunity does not extend to the operation of a motor vehicle.

Talking Points Aainst SB2601:

1. Humane investigators are affiliated with a specific shelter which may be a conflict of interest in that the sponsoring shelter may benefit should the investigation result in the confiscation and future sale of the animals involved in the investigation. 

2. Humane Investigators are required to complete a short seminar and pass a test on the Humane Care for Animals Act. They do not have the extended training of law enforcement so should not be granted the same level of immunity from civil action.

3. It is unclear if this bill seeks to also indemnify the Humane Investigators' sponsoring shelter for any acts committed by that investigator. This would be a clear conflict as there would be no responsibility from either the Humane Investigator or their sponsoring shelter to account for their actions against a dog owner.

4. This bill removes any civil protection and due process for animal owners during an investigation and would allow Humane Investigators unbridled license while performing an investigation without fear of penalty for their actions or omissions.

SB3576 CRIM CD-VICIOUS DOGS-FELONS (MCCARTER K) **MONITOR**

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012.. Provides a that person convicted of a forcible felony, a felony violation of the Humane Care for Animals Act, a felony violation of dog fighting, a felony violation of Deadly Weapons Article of the Code, a felony violation of Class 3 or higher of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, a felony violation of Class 3 or higher of the Cannabis Control Act, or a felony violation of Class 2 or higher of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, shall not knowingly own, possess, have custody of, or reside in a residence with any dog weighing more than 20 pounds for a period of 10 years commencing upon the release of the person from incarceration.