Governor Rauner has vetoed this bill (known as the Deer Feed Bill)
**Latest Update** September 25, 2018
Here is his veto message which addresses his decision:
Today, I veto Senate Bill 2493, which would direct the University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute to conduct a study on the health and social effects of supplemental deer feeding on the wild deer population outside of deer hunting season.
There is significant controversy within the conservation and wildlife professions as well as among the general public over the real and perceived positive and negative impacts of supplemental feeding of wild animals, and the scale on which these practices are used.
However, this subject needs further discussion to better define the scope and aims of such a study. It should include more flexibility for experts to exercise their judgment and further involvement by the Department of Natural Resources. We should ensure that any research fully considers the health impacts on the Illinois deer population.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 2493, entitled “AN ACT concerning wildlife,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
This bill now moves onto Veto Session scheduled for November 13th. At this time the General Assembly may vote to override this veto.
Read more about the bill here.
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Update as of 5/17/18
Senate Sponsors
Sen. Chapin Rose
Filed: SB 2493 on 1/31/2018
Latest Action: Vetoed by the Governor, Veto Message
2nd Amendment
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that the University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute shall, subject to appropriation and in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, conduct a study for a period of at least 5 years on the health and social effects of supplemental deer feeding on the wild deer population outside of any Illinois deer hunting season and whether supplemental deer feeding affects the risk of disease transmission in the deer population. Requires the University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine to submit the study's findings and any recommendations to the Department of Natural Resources, to be posted on its Internet website, and the General Assembly in a report no more than 180 days after the completion of the study.
Amendment Filed : 5/17/18
New AMENDMENT
AMENDMENT NO. ___#1__. Amend Senate Bill 2493 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following: "Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by adding Section 12.10 as follows:
Supplemental deer food; study. The University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute shall, subject to appropriation and in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, conduct a study for a period of at least 5 years on the health effects of supplemental deer feeding on the wild deer population outside of any Illinois deer hunting season and whether supplemental deer feeding affects the risk of disease transmission in the deer population. The study shall include a social study for a period of at least 5 years to measure the social impacts of supplemental deer feeding. For the purpose of this study, supplemental deer feeding shall include mixtures that are commonly used to feed wildlife with a mineral component or commercial feed. The study shall be conducted in areas within this State that are south of Illinois State Route 36. During the study, supplemental deer feeding shall be permitted on private land in the geographic boundaries established for the study. The University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine shall submit the study's findings and any recommendations to the Department of Natural Resources, to be posted on its Internet website, and the General Assembly in a report no more than 180 days after the completion of the study. The report to the General Assembly shall be filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate in electronic form only, in the manner that the Clerk and Secretary shall direct.".
Amendment Filed: 4/20/2018
"Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by adding Section 13 as follows:
(110 ILCS 305/13 new)
Sec. 13. Supplemental deer food; study. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, subject to appropriation and in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources, shall conduct a study for a period of at least 2 years of the health effects of supplemental deer feeding on the wild deer population and whether supplemental feeding affects the spread of any communicable diseases within the deer population. The study shall also designate geographical locations where the practice of supplemental deer feeding may be beneficial. The University of Illinois College Veterinary of Medicine shall submit its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly in report no more than 60 days after the completion of the study. The report to the General Assembly shall be filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate in electronic form only, in the manner that the Clerk and the Secretary shall direct.". |
Synopsis As Introduced:Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person may supplementally feed deer with items otherwise prohibited by the Code when not in active deer hunting season which shall be implemented by the Department of Natural Resources by rule.
Bill Status:
- 1/31/2018 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. Chapin Rose
- 1/31/2018 Senate First Reading
- 1/31/2018 Senate Referred to Assignments
- 2/7/2018 Senate Assigned to Agriculture
- 4/12/2018 Senate Do Pass Agriculture; 010-000-000
- 4/12/2018 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 17, 2018
- 4/20/2018 Senate Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Chapin Rose
- 4/20/2018 Senate Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- 4/23/2018 Senate Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Agriculture
- 4/25/2018 Senate Second Reading
- 4/25/2018 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 26, 2018
- 4/26/2018 Senate Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Agriculture; 008-000-000
- 4/27/2018 Senate Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 3, 2018
- 5/1/2018 Senate Recalled to Second Reading
- 5/1/2018 Senate Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Rose
- 5/1/2018 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
- 5/1/2018 Senate Third Reading - Passed; 050-001-000
- 5/2/2018 House Arrived in House
- 5/2/2018 House Chief House Sponsor Rep. Brad Halbrook
- 5/8/2018 House First Reading
- 5/8/2018 House Referred to Rules Committee
- 5/8/2018 House Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
- 5/15/2018 House Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Norine K. Hammond
- 5/15/2018 House Do Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 012-001-000
- 5/17/2018 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
- 5/17/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jerry Costello, II
- 5/17/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- 5/18/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
- 5/21/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jerry Costello, II
- 5/21/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
- 5/22/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
- 5/23/2018 House Second Reading - Short Debate
- 5/23/2018 House Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
- 5/24/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 010-001-000
- 5/24/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
- 5/24/2018 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- 5/25/2018 House Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. LaToya Greenwood
- 5/25/2018 House Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 082-028-001
- 5/25/2018 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 40
- 5/25/2018 House Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe
