SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes maintains her ongoing commitment to lead legislation that would restrict owners of traveling animal acts from using wild animals in their shows through a measure she passed Wednesday to add specific breeds to the banned species list.
“I passed legislation in 2017 to ban the use of elephants in circuses and other traveling exhibitions that cannot provide the animals adequate living conditions, and we’ve added more species to the ban over the years,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “These animals spend most of their lives in cramped, filthy cages under severe and chronic stress. It is cruel and heartbreaking to witness.”
House Bill 4255 would add specific breeds to the offense of unlawful use of animals in traveling acts to include cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, non-human primates, bears, and all elephants, not just endangered species. It also would add any hybrids of these animals.
According to Humane World for Animals – formerly known as the Humane Society – big cats, non-human primates, bears, and other wild animals used in roadside exhibitions are in restrictive cages almost constantly. However, operators charge premiums to let visitors feed, pet, hold, play with or ride the animals.
Animals used for public handling are typically pulled from their mothers shortly after birth to be hand-raised, a practice that denies newborns critical maternal care. Baby animals with weak immune systems are subjected to stress, neglect, and mistreatment associated with public handling.
“Wild animals are not trick machines,” Holmes said. “These out-of-state exhibitors are solely to blame for this exploitation and harm. With county fair and festival season approaching, I hope Illinois families will no longer be exposed to this cruelty.”
House Bill 4255 passed the full Senate Wednesday. It now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.
