Illinois has enacted a new law designed to protect bears and non-human primates from direct contact with the public, with advocates suggesting positive outcomes for both humans and animals. The legislation, Senate Bill 1883, is modeled after a similar law in Indiana and prohibits individuals from allowing public interaction with bears or non-human primates.
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into law after it secured a 43-9 vote in the Illinois Senate, with State Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, voting in favor. The bill passed in the Illinois House with a 73-35 vote, although State Rep. Randy Frese, R-Paloma, voted against it, and Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, was excused.
The legislation, sponsored primarily by State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, is intended to curb the practice of allowing public contact with bear cubs and non-human primates in unmonitored circumstances. Holmes expressed concern over the ongoing cycle of breeding and captivity, which often results in mistreatment of these animals.
Marc Ayers, Illinois State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, supports the law, emphasizing its focus on public places and businesses that permit interactions, particularly with children, involving bear cubs, monkeys, and adult bears. Ayers contends that the law will end the cycle of breeding for photo opportunities and curb the potential dangers associated with such practices.
While acknowledging that the law may raise eyebrows, Ayers stressed its intention to safeguard both animals and people, especially in situations lacking proper oversight from state and federal agencies. The law targets practices that pose infectious disease risks and emphasizes the humane treatment of animals, addressing concerns raised by studies showing a significant percentage of emerging infections originating from animals.
The legislation has its roots in a 2017 Illinois law that made it illegal to use elephants in traveling animal acts. The current law expands the scope, seeking to protect a broader range of animals from public contact, with enforcement falling under the criminal code as a class B misdemeanor. Ayers believes the law will make enforcement more accessible and hopes it will lead to better treatment of animals in Illinois.