SPRINGFIELD – Landowners and farmers will now have more flexibility when it comes to hunting on their own property after legislation from State Senator Patrick Joyce was signed into law on Friday.

“People only get so much time in a season to get out there and hunt,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This legislation will make sure hunters maximize their time hunting deer, instead of hunting for permits.”

House Bill 2340 allows landowner deer and hunting permits to be issued without charge to Illinois landowners who own at least 20 acres in a county where there is positively identified chronic wasting disease cases in the deer herd, resident tenants of at least 20 acres of commercial agricultural land where they will hunt, or an owner, shareholder or partner of a business that owns at least 20 acres of land.

Joyce took on the legislation in response to farmers and landowners having difficulties securing permits to hunt on their own land. Residents of hunting land in the 40^th District and across Illinois have been calling for changes to landowner permits and the deer permit lottery.

“This legislation provides much-needed tools for farmers who are all too familiar with the costly impact of nuisance wildlife.” said Assistant Director of Legislation for Illinois Farm Bureau Anna McKinley. “It’s the result of grassroot efforts of County Farm Bureaus from around the state, as they engaged their community and elected officials on this pressing issue; our organization is grateful to Senator Joyce for his leadership and getting this important bill across the finish line.”

House Bill 2340 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.