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IMPORTANT LEGISLATION |
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| Illinois:SB2851 Support Cross-Reporting Between State Agencies SB 2851 would require animal control wardens and humane investigators to report suspected child abuse. Likewise, Department of Child and Family Service investigators would be required to report suspected animal abuse to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.The Act provides immunity from liability for persons, institutions, and agencies participating in good faith in the reporting or investigation of animal abuse or neglect. The Illinois Senate has passed SB 2851, and the bill now moves to the House. Action Needed: Please email the ASPCA's automated letter to your representative in the Illinois House. Take Action. |
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| Illinois: HB4857 Strengthen the Animal Fighting Law Make being a spectator at an animal fight a second offense felony. While Illinois makes animal fighting and possession of animals for fighting felony offenses, being a spectator at an animal fight is only a misdemeanor. This loophole makes it difficult for law enforcement to crack down on illegal animal fighting. H.B. 4857 will close this loophole by making it a Class A misdemeanor with mandatory community service and a felony on the second offense to knowingly attend an animal fight and manufacture and possess implements for animal fighting. Action Needed: At The Humane Society's website, fill out and submit the electronic form to automatically send an email to your state representative in support of H.B. 4857. Your representative receives a lot of email, so it will help to personalize the email message so that your message will have a greater impact. Also, please make a brief, polite phone call to your state representative and urge support for H.B. 4857. Click here to look up your state representative and the phone number. |
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| Illinois: Pet Population Control Fund Appropriation The Pet Population Control Fund is a state program that allows feral cat caretakers and farmers, as well as individuals receiving food stamps or social security disability benefits, to have their animals vaccinated and spayed/neutered for only $15. The money in the fund comes from sales of the state’s pet-friendly license plate, public safety fines for dogs found running at large or deemed dangerous or vicious, differential licensing fees and private donations. By law, the money in the fund may not be used for any purposes other than animal sterilization and vaccination. At last count, the fund contained $462,000. However, the amount of money that the fund can actually utilize is dictated by the state in its annual budget. For the past two years, that amount has been a mere $100,000, and the governor has proposed a $200,000 appropriation for next year. This means that a large surplus of money—money that could and should be actively helping animals—will stagnate. The money is already there; the fund’s administrators simply need permission to use it. Please ask your state legislators to increase the appropriation to $450,000 in next year’s state budget. Action Needed: Please email the ASPCA's automated letter to your state senator and state representative urging them to increase the allowed expenditure of the Pet Population Control Fund to $450,000. Take Action. |
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| IL HB 5543—Spay/Neuter of Shelter Animals Stop the Overpopulation Cycle Action Needed: Please email the ASPCA's automated letter to your state senator and state representative urging them to support this bill. Take Action. Update, 4/09/08—Good news: the Illinois House passed this bill. HB 5543 now moves to the Senate. Update, 2/28/08—HB 5543 has made it out of committee and now goes to the House Floor for a vote. HB 5543 would prohibit animal shelters and animal control facilities from adopting out any cat or dog who has not been sterilized unless the new owner signs an agreement to have the pet spayed/neutered within 30 days of adoption. If a veterinarian certifies that a pet should not be sterilized at the time of adoption due to health reasons, the adopting owner can sign a document promising to have spay/neuter surgery performed within 14 days of a veterinarian’s endorsement that the pet is healthy enough for sterilization. |
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| IL HB 5076—Good Samaritan Bill Illinois: Let Animal Rescuers Do Their Jobs Without Fear Action Needed: Please email the ASPCA's automated letter to your to your senator in the Illinois State General Assembly. Take Action. Update, 4/03/08—Good news: the Good Samaritan Bill has passed the Illinois House unanimously! It now moves to the Senate for consideration. Update, 3/06/08—HB 5076 has made it out of committee and now goes to the House Floor for a vote. Illinois House Bill 5076 contains “Good Samaritan” provisions for individuals who rescue or provide care for injured animals in emergencies or disasters. The bill also clarifies the statute of limitations for violations of the Humane Care for Animals Act. The need for legislation like HB 5076 was seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and 18 states already have Good Samaritan provisions that protect individuals who rescue or help animals during emergencies or disasters. The Land of Lincoln should encourage these generous actions by protecting animal rescuers from lawsuits. |
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ASPCA Action Alerts If you'd like to keep abreast of the animal advocacy action alerts in Illinois or any other state, the ASPCA has complete information regarding proposed legislation and the outcome. You will also have the ability to send a personalized letter to your representatives, compliments of the ASPCA. The Humane Society of the United States You can also learn about pending issues and what you can do to help at The Humane Society of the United States' website. Simply click on your state and get a list of legislation in progress. By participating in this letter writing service you are directly contributing to the legislative process and helping to protect animals. You can only participate in the campaigns in your state and federal programs. Make your voice heard. |
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