Illinois Legislation Reflects Positive Changes

Legislature in Illinois is in session, and some proposed laws can help to benefit animals.

By Faith Salsburg, Best Friends Network Volunteer

Our legislature is in session. Many new laws are proposed or amended, and many special interest groups lobby the House and Senate. I want to direct your attention to two pieces of legislation that are targeted to benefit our furry friends.

First, House Bill 4844, introduced by Representative John Fritchey. This bill would eliminate the use of gas chambers to euthanize shelter animals, while requiring euthanization by injection. This is the only method acceptable to the American Humane Society, and the preferred method of the American Medical Association, the National Animal Control Association, and nearly all funded shelters.

The Bill would also require trained technicians to administer the lethal injection
(EBI), and require recertification of this training every five years. If a sick or unwanted animal must be euthanized; the EBI is far more humane process. An animal can be held and comforted while peacefully going to a final sleep.

House Bill 4844 is currently in the Senate Rules Committee. Let your legislatures know you care.

Senate Bill 2851 adds a new and important concept to abuse and neglect reporting for both children and animals. This process will require the sharing of information or “cross-over” of abuse/neglect reporting by child welfare investigators and animal welfare investigators. The philosophy behind “cross-reporting” is that violence often permeates a family. Animal abuse can be indicative of child abuse and visa versa. Perhaps this cross-over reporting can aid investigators to identify family violence early.

These two pieces of legislation are worthy of your support. Call or write your Representative in Springfield.

For a list of Illinois State Senators, and their contact information, please click here.

For a list of Illinois State Representatives, and their contact information, please click here.

**Best Friends Animal Society has not taken a position of support or opposition to this piece of legislation. For more information on how animal legislation is reported on the Best Friends Network, click here.

Article posted by Brandi Bennett, Best Friends Network Staff

Photo of the Illinois Capitol Building by Martin Davis, retrieved from Wikimedia Commons