NW Illinois News

Illinois' 89th State House District issued the following announcement on April 2.

State Representative Andrew Chesney passed legislation through the Illinois House on Thursday to increase the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) transparency in the management of the Chronic Waste Management Program.

If signed into law, House Bill 2777 will require IDNR to annually report to the General Assembly information regarding deer management programs including:

1. Number of surplus deer taken during each separate harvest season
2. Number of deer found to have a communicable disease or other abnormality
3. The disposition of deer that are taken through Department management programs

Rep. Chesney sponsored House Bill 2777 after hearing from several sportsmen in his district with concerns about the disposition of the deer taken as part of the disease management programs administered by IDNR.  IDNR has indicated the deer are donated to various groups in need, however concerns have been brought forward suggesting further transparency and accountability are in order moving forward.

House Bill 2777 is part of a package of bills Rep. Chesney is sponsoring to further the cause of conservation and wildlife management.  The legislation passed by a unanimous vote of 112-0-0.  It will now move on to the Illinois Senate.

Distribution of all known CWD infected deer identified in Illinois through June 30, 2018. Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Original source can be found here.