HR1115 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1115 LRB100 22001 ALS 40083 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious neurological disease affecting members of the cervid family, including deer, elk, and moose; and

WHEREAS, Once contracted, the disease is always fatal; and

WHEREAS, CWD has continued to spread throughout the nation since its first detection, and cases of CWD have been confirmed in Illinois and its neighboring states of Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Today, the health of deer herds in Illinois is threatened by the spread of CWD, as is the State's storied hunting tradition and the economic and conservation benefits it provides; and

WHEREAS, Hunting is a vital economic force in Illinois, with hunters in Illinois accounting for over $1.32 billion in annual spending and supporting 18,049 jobs; and

WHEREAS, In 2017 alone, the sale of hunting licenses brought in over $32 million for conservation efforts in the State, while excise taxes paid on hunting equipment and associated goods, which were distributed to Illinois through the Wildlife Restoration Program that year, provided more than $16 million in additional funds; and

WHEREAS, House Resolution 4454, the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act, and Senate Bill 2252, The Chronic Wasting Disease Support for States Act, were recently introduced, respectively, in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, as a means of providing states with additional resources to fight this disease and provide support for research; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage all members of Illinois's Congressional Delegation to support and co-sponsor this essential legislation that will help protect the hunting heritage of Illinois and the immense conservation and economic benefits it provides; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to all members of Illinois's Congressional Delegation, Governor Bruce Rauner, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources so that all may know the critical importance of House Resolution 4454 and Senate Bill 2252.