Bill > HB2340

This bill amends the Wildlife Code to provide special deer hunting permits without charge to landowners in counties with chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the deer population. Specifically, the bill reduces the land ownership requirement from 40 acres to 20 acres for obtaining free deer hunting permits. The permits will be available to: (1) Illinois landowners residing in the state who own at least 20 acres in a CWD-identified county and wish to hunt only on their own land; (2) resident tenants of at least 20 acres of commercial agricultural land in a CWD-identified county who wish to hunt only on the land they rent; and (3) individuals with certain ownership interests (such as equity shareholders, LLC members, or partnership members) in at least 20 acres of land in a CWD-identified county who wish to hunt only on that specific land. The bill maintains previous restrictions on the number of permits that can be issued to corporations and partnerships and requires that nonresident landowners pay a fee for permits, which will be determined by administrative rule. The goal appears to be providing more flexible hunting access for landowners in areas where chronic wasting disease is a concern.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2340&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104