Illinois, Governor Signs Good Samaritan Bill
IL HB 5076—Good Samaritan Bill
Sponsor(s): Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, Senator John Cullerton
Update, 8/21/08: Great news! Governor Blagojevich signed HB 5076 yesterday. This new law, Public Act 95-0868, was put into effect immediately. Thank you for your help, Illinois advocates.
Update, 5/28/08—On the heels of a unanimous victory in the Illinois House, HB 5076 has now also passed the Illinois Senate! The bill now goes to the Governor for his approval.
Illinois House Bill 5076 contains “Good Samaritan” provisions for individuals who rescue or provide care for injured animals in emergencies or disasters. The bill also clarifies the statute of limitations for violations of the Humane Care for Animals Act.
The need for legislation like HB 5076 was seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and 18 states already have Good Samaritan provisions that protect individuals who rescue or help animals during emergencies or disasters. The Land of Lincoln should encourage these generous actions by protecting animal rescuers from lawsuits.
Illinois: Let Pet Population Control Fund Help More Animals!
IL—Pet Population Control Fund Appropriation
Action Needed: Please email the letter below to your state senator and state representative urging them to increase the allowed expenditure of the Pet Population Control Fund to $450,000.
The Pet Population Control Fund is a state program that allows feral cat caretakers and farmers, as well as individuals receiving food stamps or social security disability benefits, to have their animals vaccinated and spayed/neutered for only $15.
The money in the fund comes from sales of the state’s pet-friendly license plate, public safety fines for dogs found running at large or deemed dangerous or vicious, differential licensing fees and private donations.
By law, the money in the fund may not be used for any purposes other than animal sterilization and vaccination.
At last count, the fund contained $462,000. However, the amount of money that the fund can actually utilize is dictated by the state in its annual budget.
For the past two years, that amount has been a mere $100,000, and the governor has proposed a $200,000 appropriation for next year. This means that a large surplus of money—money that could and should be actively helping animals—will stagnate.
The money is already there; the fund’s administrators simply need permission to use it. Please ask your state legislators to increase the appropriation to $450,000 in next year’s state budget.
Your letter will be sent to:
- Your State Senator or Senators
- Your State Representative or Representatives
Please Increase Appropriation to Pet Population Control Fund
Dear [Decision Maker],
As a constituent, I respectfully request that you increase the state budget appropriation to the Pet Population Control Fund (30 ILCS 105/5.568). The fund allows feral cat caretakers, farmers and recipients of food stamp and social security disability benefits to spay/neuter and vaccinate their pets for only $15. At last count, the fund contained $462,000. The current proposed appropriation is $200,000, which I request be increased to $450,000.
The money in the Pet Population Control Fund comes from sales of the pet-friendly license plate, public safety fines for dogs found running at large or deemed dangerous or vicious, differential licensing fees and private donations. By law, it may not be used for any purpose other than pet population control.
Spaying and neutering is a public safety issue. According to the National Canine Research Council, 97 percent of the canines involved in fatal dog attacks in the year 2006 were not sterilized.
Pet overpopulation is also costly in money and animal lives. Every year, 3 million to 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters nationwide. We need to utilize all the money that is in the fund to effectively combat pet overpopulation in our state.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
ASPCA Action Alerts for Illinois and Federal Government