Several pro- and anti-sportsmen bills failed to meet the legislative crossover deadline in Illinois earlier this month. This means bills that did not pass out of their house of origin are essentially defeated for the year.
Two pro-hunting bills unanimously made it out of their house of origin, HB 4237, and its companion bill SB 2767. This important legislation expands the use of shotguns during turkey season to include 28 gauge and .410 bore models. This will give youths, women, and new hunters more options to enjoy the outdoors and turkey hunting with reduced recoil and lighter-weight shotguns.
SB 2767 has been assigned to the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee and is expected to be heard at 3:00 pm, tomorrow, April 30th. Please use our Take Action button to email the committee and ask them to vote “Yes” on SB 2767.
HB 4237 has not received a committee assignment yet. We will continue to monitor this bill and alert you when action is needed.
Two anti-sportsmen bills, of note, that failed to crossover:
HB 2900 aimed at banning coyote contests but was written to ban any contest or competition taking any fur-bearing mammal, with limited exemptions and,
HB 1064 would have imposed an additional “sin” tax of 3.75% on each firearm and firearm component part(s) purchased. The monies collected from the tax would have been placed in the newly created Human Services Youth Programming Fund and used for unspecified youth programs.
Even though many bills failed to cross over, we will continue to monitor the legislative session, as you never know what legislative tactics will be implemented.
Don’t forget to share this alert with your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen. Also, make sure you ask them to email the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee members to urge them to SUPPORT SB 2767.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.