Chapter 520, WILDLIFE

(520 ILCS 5/1.2l) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2l) Sec. 1.2l. "Person" includes the plural "persons", "females" as well as "males" and shall extend and be applied to clubs, associations, corporations, firms and partnerships as well as individuals. (Source: P.A. 81-382.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2m) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2m) Sec. 1.2m. "Resident" means a person who in good faith makes application for any license or permit and verifies by statement that he or she has maintained his or her permanent abode in this State for a period of at least 30 consecutive d…

(520 ILCS 5/1.2m-1) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2m-1) Sec. 1.2m-1. Possession Limit. Possession Limit means the maximum number or amount of species which can be lawfully held or possessed by one person at any time. (Source: P.A. 84-150.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2n) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2n) Sec. 1.2n. "Sale" means to sell, barter or otherwise offer goods to another for consideration. The term sale shall include serving the same as a part of a meal by any restaurant, hotel, or other commercial establishment. Proof of sale of…

(520 ILCS 5/1.2o) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2o) Sec. 1.2o. "Take" means hunt, shoot, pursue, lure, kill, destroy, capture, gig or spear, trap or ensnare, harass, or to attempt to do so. (Source: P.A. 81-382.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2p) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2p) Sec. 1.2p. "Transport" or "ship" means to convey by means of parcel post, express, freight baggage or shipment by common carrier of any description; or by automobile, motorcycle, or other vehicle of any kind; or by water or aircraft of a…

(520 ILCS 5/1.2q) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2q) Sec. 1.2q. "Trap" means to capture, or attempt to capture, by setting or placing a leg hold trap, cushion-hold trap, bodygripping trap, cage or box trap, snare or other similar device permitted by this Act to capture, hold or kill any wi…

(520 ILCS 5/1.2q-1) Sec. 1.2q-1. Trapping license. "Trapping license" means an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of animal during a specified period of time. (Source: P.A. 102-524, eff. 8-20-21.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2q-2) Sec. 1.2q-2. Nuisance Wildlife Control Permit. "Nuisance Wildlife Control Permit" means an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of animal as provided in Section 2.37. (Source: P.A. 102-524, eff. 8-20-21.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2r) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2r) Sec. 1.2r. "Vehicle" means any device capable of transporting a person on land, on ice, on water, in water, or in the air. (Source: P.A. 81-382.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2s) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2s) Sec. 1.2s. "Wild" means not ordinarily domesticated, and ordinarily living unconfined in a state of nature without the care of man. (Source: P.A. 97-431, eff. 8-16-11.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2t) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2t) Sec. 1.2t. "Wildlife" means any bird or mammal that is by nature wild by way of distinction from a bird or mammal that is naturally tame and is ordinarily living unconfined in a state of nature without the care of man. (Source: P.A. 103-…

(520 ILCS 5/1.2u) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2u) Sec. 1.2u. "Individual" means a natural person. (Source: P.A. 84-150.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2v) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2v) Sec. 1.2v. "Water set" means any trap or similar device which is placed or set in contact with flowing or impounded water. (Source: P.A. 85-152.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2v-1) Sec. 1.2v-1. Youth. "Youth" means a person under 18 years of age. (Source: P.A. 100-638, eff. 1-1-19.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2w) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.2w) Sec. 1.2w. "Land set" means any trap or similar device which is not placed or set in contact with flowing or impounded water. (Source: P.A. 85-152.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2x) Sec. 1.2x. Taxidermy. "Taxidermy" means the art of preparing, preserving, and mounting the skins of fish, birds, or mammals to make them appear lifelike. (Source: P.A. 88-416.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2y) Sec. 1.2y. "Hound running" means pursuing any fox, coyote, raccoon, or rabbit with a hound. (Source: P.A. 95-196, eff. 1-1-08.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.2z) Sec. 1.2z. "Authorized species" means any fox, coyote, raccoon, or rabbit associated with a hound running area. (Source: P.A. 95-196, eff. 1-1-08.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.3) Sec. 1.3. The Department shall have the authority to manage wildlife and regulate the taking of wildlife for the purposes of providing public recreation and controlling wildlife populations. The seasons during which wildlife may be taken, the methods for taking w…

(520 ILCS 5/1.30) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.30) Sec. 1.30. The Department has the authority to sell Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps. The Department may consign, issue or otherwise make available such stamps for sale by designated agents as authorized in Section …

(520 ILCS 5/1.31) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.31) Sec. 1.31. Pheasant Fund. There is created in the State Treasury the State Pheasant Fund. All interest earned on monies in this Fund shall remain in the fund. (a) Thirty percent of the money collected from the sale of State Habitat Stamp…

(520 ILCS 5/1.32) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.32) Sec. 1.32. Distribution of funds; State Furbearer Committee. (a) There is created within the State Treasury the State Furbearer Fund. All interest earned on monies in this Fund shall remain in the fund. Six percent of the money collected…

(520 ILCS 5/1.4) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.4) Sec. 1.4. The Department is authorized to make rules and regulations for carrying out, administering and enforcing the provisions of this Act. These rules and regulations shall be called and hereinafter referred to as administrative rules.…

(520 ILCS 5/1.5) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.5) Sec. 1.5. The Department is authorized to cooperate with the Environmental Protection Agency of the State of Illinois in making pollution investigations and making reports thereof. (Source: P.A. 78-255.)

(520 ILCS 5/1.6) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.6) Sec. 1.6. The Department, and persons authorized by it, may take, purchase or propagate, any mammals or birds, or eggs of such birds for propagation and stocking purposes, and when so taken, may transmit them to parts of the State where a …

(520 ILCS 5/1.7) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.7) Sec. 1.7. The Department is authorized to produce such mammals, birds or their eggs, and to distribute them to anyone having suitable land or means for their breeding, hatching or further propagation; the Department shall also have authori…

(520 ILCS 5/1.8) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.8) Sec. 1.8. The Department may establish and maintain refuges or public hunting areas upon any lands or waters owned by the Federal government by mutual consent of the Federal and State governments and upon any lands owned or leased by the S…

(520 ILCS 5/1.9) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.9) Sec. 1.9. The Department shall have the power and authority to select and purchase or lease, receive by donation or acquire, in accordance with the laws relating to eminent domain: (a) suitable lands for the breeding, hatching, propagation…

(520 ILCS 5/1.9-1) (from Ch. 61, par. 1.9-1) Sec. 1.9-1. The following described areas are designated as State game farms: Wilmington State Game Farm in Will County; Glen D. Palmer State Game Farm in Kendall County; Mt. Vernon State Game Farm in Jefferson County. (Source: P.A. 78…

(520 ILCS 5/1.9-2) Sec. 1.9-2. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, any power granted under this Code to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act. (Source: P.A.…

(520 ILCS 35/10) Sec. 10. Prohibition. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, it is unlawful for any person to allow any member of the public to come into direct contact with a covered animal. (Source: P.A. 103-239, eff. 1-1-24.)

(520 ILCS 20/10) (from Ch. 61, par. 227) Sec. 10. In the event the Department deems it desirable to remove surplus game from the property for stocking elsewhere, the Cooperator, or a member of his family, or an employee, shall be given preference as an agent of the Department to …

(520 ILCS 25/10) Sec. 10. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Act to provide a stable and supplemental source of money to support activities and programs undertaken by the Department or other managers of land to preserve, protect, acquire, and manage habitat for future generations…

(520 ILCS 30/10) Sec. 10. Definitions. For the purposes of this Act: "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources. "Department-managed lands" means those lands that the Department owns or those lands of which the Department holds management authority. "Director" means t…

(520 ILCS 10/10) (from Ch. 8, par. 340) Sec. 10. The Endangered and Threatened Species Program shall be located within the Department. All fines collected under this Act shall be paid to the State Treasurer and deposited in the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund. (Source: P.A. 1…

(520 ILCS 20/11) (from Ch. 61, par. 228) Sec. 11. If the Cooperator is willing to leave a strip or strips of grain or hay stand in suitable places for game food, nesting cover, or travel lanes, or to delay mowing of hay, the Department may reimburse the Cooperator at a price mutu…

(520 ILCS 10/11) (from Ch. 8, par. 341) Sec. 11. Conservation program; public policy; rules. (a) The Department, with the advice of the Board, shall actively plan and implement a program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species, by means which should include publ…

(520 ILCS 20/12) (from Ch. 61, par. 229) Sec. 12. The owner or tenant of a tract of land on which a refuge area safety zone has been established, or any member of his family or duly authorized employee, is privileged to go upon such area any time of the year in connection with th…

(520 ILCS 20/13) (from Ch. 61, par. 230) Sec. 13. Hunters shall be limited to a number agreed upon as reasonable with respect to the game population. The volume of hunting shall be agreed upon by the Department and the Cooperators. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/14) (from Ch. 61, par. 231) Sec. 14. Hunters shall at all times respect the rights of cooperating farmers, and shall not injure or destroy their livestock or property in any manner. Trees or shrubs shall not be mutilated or cut, nor shall berries, fruits or nuts be p…

(520 ILCS 20/15) (from Ch. 61, par. 232) Sec. 15. Should a dog inadvertently enter a refuge area, it may be recovered by the owner, or person in control, by entering the refuge area without firearms or bows and arrows. (Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 35/15) Sec. 15. Nonapplication of Act. This Act does not apply to direct contact between a covered animal and any of the following: (1) The owner of the covered animal. (2) The owner of the facility in which the specified animal is kept. (3) A trained professional emplo…

(520 ILCS 30/15) Sec. 15. Recreational hunting. (a) Subject to valid existing rights, Department-managed lands shall be open to access and use for recreational hunting except as limited by the Department for reasons of public safety, fish or wildlife management, or homeland secur…

(520 ILCS 25/15) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 104-695) Sec. 15. The Illinois Habitat Fund and the Illinois Habitat Endowment Trust Fund. (a) There is established in the State treasury a special fund entitled the Illinois Habitat Fund. The moneys in this fund shall be…

(520 ILCS 20/16) (from Ch. 61, par. 233) Sec. 16. Should a seriously wounded game bird or game animal enter a refuge area, the hunter who wounded it, if he wishes to retrieve it, shall report to a duly commissioned officer or authorized agent of the Department, who may investigat…

(520 ILCS 20/17) (from Ch. 61, par. 234) Sec. 17. Until clearly evident that rigid supervision is no longer needed, each cooperative area will have at least one supervisory officer, temporary or otherwise, appointed by the Director, on duty at a conveniently located telephone on …

(520 ILCS 20/18) (from Ch. 61, par. 235) Sec. 18. At the Department's discretion, in lieu of other charges, a fee in addition to the regular license may be charged by the Cooperators, in return for which the hunter will receive a permit to hunt on Cooperative areas. Any surplus o…

(520 ILCS 20/19) (from Ch. 61, par. 236) Sec. 19. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, it is unlawful for any person, except by special permission of a duly authorized representative of the Department, to enter or go upon a Wildlife Habitat Management Area Refuge Safety Zone…

(520 ILCS 15/2) (from Ch. 61, par. 134) Sec. 2. No funds accruing to the State of Illinois from license fees paid by hunters shall be diverted for any other purpose than the administration of the Department of Natural Resources for the management of fish and wildlife resources of…