IllinoisIllinois wildlife law excludes mute swans from its protected waterfowl list
Starting January 1, 2028, Illinois’s wildlife law excludes mute swans from its list of protected waterfowl, but does not itself authorize taking them.
What it does
The wildlife law’s list of protected waterfowl excludes mute swans. This text does not itself give anyone permission to take or possess them.
Argument forWildlife managers could have more flexibility because mute swans are excluded from the protected waterfowl list, though this text does not itself authorize taking them.
Argument againstMute swans could receive less protection under this part of Illinois’s wildlife law because the listed ban applies to species it protects.
More detail
The wildlife law’s list of protected migratory game birds excludes mute swans from its waterfowl category. The exception names mute swans (Cygnus olor) in the list of waterfowl protected as migratory game birds. This exclusion from the list does not itself authorize anyone to take, possess, sell, or release mute swans. The Act takes effect January 1, 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0794Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date January 1, 2028
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 26Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 28Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 28Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000Passed Senate
- May 26Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 27, 2026
- May 26Second ReadingMinor
- May 22Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2026
- May 21Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 22, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 21Do Pass Agriculture; 010-000-000
- May 19Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Chris Balkema
- May 19Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
- May 15Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 22, 2026
- May 12Assigned to AgricultureMinor
- May 12Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
- Apr 28Referred to Assignments
- Apr 28First ReadingMinor
- Apr 28Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. David Koehler
- Apr 10Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 14, 2026Minor
- Apr 10Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 9Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 091-000-000Passed House
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Apr 8Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 25Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 24Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 009-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Agriculture & Conservation Committee; by Voice VoteMajor
- Mar 24House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
- Mar 23House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- Mar 23House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Anna MoellerMinor
- Mar 18Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation CommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 10First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Anna MoellerIntroduced
Environment & Energy