HB 5801 amends the State Finance Act to require the transfer of specific funds from various state accounts into the Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements and Governmental Emergencies Fund. This bill directly affects multiple state funds, including those for open space lands, medical cannabis, law enforcement, and wildlife conservation, by mandating that the State Comptroller and Treasurer move designated amounts from each into the reserve. The legislation sets a deadline of July 31, 2025, for completing these transfers, which range from small sums like $43,000 to larger amounts like $15 million. By repealing previous rules that required transfers to the reserve from certain funds, this act establishes a new, comprehensive list of sources for the budget reserve.
HB 5309 amends Illinois' Wildlife Code to explicitly exclude mute swans (Cygnus olor) from the category of "migratory game birds" that receive legal protection under the law. This change means mute swans will no longer be covered by regulations that protect migratory waterfowl like ducks and geese, altering how they are managed under state wildlife law. The bill directly affects wildlife management practices and hunting regulations for mute swans in Illinois, removing their previous protected status. This is a technical classification change in the law, not a new hunting season or policy. The bill specifies the exclusion in Section 2.2 of the Wildlife Code.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person shall not organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in any contest, organized competition, tournament, or derby that has as its objective the taking of a fur-bearing mammal for cash, prizes, or other inducement. Provides an exception for field trials, certain wildlife damage control activities, and certain lawful hunting or trapping activities. Establishes penalties for violations.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to trap or to hunt gray fox except during an open season, which may (rather than will) be set annually by the Director of Natural Resources between 12:01 a.m., November 1 to 12:00 midnight, February 15, both inclusive. Allows the Director, by administrative rule, to set the dates of, lengthen, shorten, or close the season during which gray fox may be taken. Allows the Director to also set, lessen, or increase the daily bag limit or possession limit of gray fox by administrative rule. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Department of Natural Resources emergency rulemaking powers. Effective immediately.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Abolishes any Chronic Wasting Disease programs established within or conducted by the Department of Natural Resources. Makes conforming changes in the Code.
Amends the Wildlife Code. In provisions concerning permits for a person to remove or destroy any wild bird or wild mammal when the wild bird or wild mammal is known to be destroying property or causing a risk to human health or safety upon the person's land, requires the Department of Natural Resources to determine if the damage does exist and can be abated only by removing or destroying the wild bird or wild mammal within 14 days of receipt by the Department of information from the owner, tenant, or sharecropper that any one or more species of wild bird or wild mammal is damaging dams, levees, ditches, cattle pastures, or other property on the land the owner, tenant, or sharecropper resides or controls, together with a statement regarding location of the property damages, the nature and extent of the damage, and the particular species of wild bird or wild mammal committing the damage.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that any deer herd management plan established by the Department of Natural Resources, including length of seasons and bag and possession limits, shall take into account economic damage and public safety concerns caused by deer.
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program through which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for projects that facilitate travel by public transportation to public outdoor recreation sites for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, or other nature-based activities. Provides that the Secretary shall offer grants through the Transit-to-Trails program on an annual basis. Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program. Provides that, in considering grant applications, the Department shall prioritize projects with demonstrated intent to enhance access to outdoor recreation opportunities for populations in greatest need of improved access to outdoor nature-based recreation. Requires the Department to provide technical assistance in preparing grant applications to applicants upon request. Provides that implementation of the grant program is subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that striped skunks and raccoons may be rehabilitated by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for treatment and release. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person shall not organize, sponsor, promote, conduct, or participate in any contest, organized competition, tournament, or derby that has as its objective the taking of a fur-bearing mammal for cash, prizes, or other inducement. Provides an exception for field trials, certain wildlife damage control activities, and certain lawful hunting or trapping activities. Establishes penalties for violations.
