Bill > SB2043

This bill amends the Wildlife Code to expand the circumstances under which the Department of Natural Resources will issue a hunting license certificate of competency. Specifically, the bill adds three new groups who can automatically receive a certificate of competency upon request: (1) active-duty military personnel who are Illinois residents and can provide acceptable verification of their service, (2) Illinois resident veterans who can provide acceptable verification of their service, and (3) individuals who hold a state-issued concealed carry permit. Previously, individuals born after January 1, 1980, needed to have previously held a hunting license or complete a hunter safety course to obtain a hunting license. The bill maintains existing provisions requiring hunter safety education courses of at least 10 hours, which cover firearms safety, hunter safety, and bow and arrow safety. These courses can be conducted by Department personnel or certified volunteer instructors and are designed to ensure hunters understand safe handling of equipment. The bill does not change the existing fee structure for hunting licenses or the requirement that individuals under 18 must be supervised by an adult while hunting unless they have a certificate of competency.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2043&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104