Section 2510.10  Purpose

 

a)         The purpose of this Part is to acknowledge and recognize the contribution of:

 

1)         Illinois residents returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States as an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces [20 ILCS 805/805-305]; and 

 

2)         Illinois resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States [515 ILCS 5/20-45].

 

b)         In recognition of the services of Illinois resident service members, the Department of Natural Resources will waive specified fees for camping, fishing and hunting for the amount of time that the active duty member spent in service abroad or mobilized.

 

c)          In recognition of the services of Illinois resident veterans, the Department of Natural Resources will issue veterans a current fishing license, sportsmen's combination license or hunting license at one-half the current fee.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 3902, effective February 24, 2012)

 

Section 2510.20  Definitions

 

Active Duty − means active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, as evidenced by a DD form 2, United States Uniformed Service Identification Card, marked "Active" or "Active Duty".

 

Department − means the Department of Natural Resources.

 

Members − means Illinois resident military, guard or reserve members.

 

Mobilization − means that Reserves or Guard Members were called to active duty by the President of the United States under Title 10 or Title 32, United States Code.

 

Service Abroad − means active duty service outside of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and includes all active duty service in territories and possessions of the United States.

 

Verification of Service or Mobilization − means official documentation from the Department of Defense or the appropriate Major Command showing mobilization dates or service abroad dates, including a DD-214, a letter from the Illinois Department of Military Affairs for members of the Illinois National Guard, a letter from the Regional Reserve Command for members of the Armed Forces Reserve, a letter from the Major Command covering Illinois for active duty members, or personnel records for mobilized State employees.  A copy of orders shall not be accepted as verification.

 

Veteran − means an Illinois resident who is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States, as evidenced by a form DD-214.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 3902, effective February 24, 2012)

 

Section 2510.30  Fee Exemptions and Fee Reductions

 

a)         Illinois resident military members who have served abroad, or guard or reserve members who were mobilized, are eligible for the following without fee:

 

1)         Camping, with no camping fee except:

 

A)        camper is responsible for applicable utility fees; and

 

B)        camper is responsible for applicable rent-a-tent fees and cabin fees.

           

2)        Sport fishing and hunting:

 

A)        Members will be issued a current Combined Sportsman's License and Habitat Stamp. 

 

B)        If requested by the member, one statewide archery deer permit will be issued upon verification if currently available.  One free firearm deer permit for the county of choice (and the archery deer permit if not available at time of verification) will be mailed to the applicant when available.

 

b)         Illinois resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have served abroad, or guard or reserve members who were mobilized by the President of the United States, are eligible to purchase licenses at one-half the fee charged for the following:

 

1)         fishing license (see 515 ILCS 5/20-45(a));

 

2)         sportsmen's combination license (see 515 ILCS 5/20-45(c)); and

 

3)         hunting license (see 520 ILCS 5/20-3.2).

 

c)         Non-resident military members are not eligible for no-fee hunting, fishing or camping.

 

d)        Non-resident veterans are not eligible for reduced fee hunting or fishing licenses.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 14424, effective September 5, 2012)

 

Section 2510.40  Application

 

a)          Military members are eligible for free sport fishing, hunting and camping for one year for each year served and for one year for each portion of a year served.

 

b)         To receive free passes, licenses, stamps and permits,  eligible military members and veterans shall:

 

1)         Appear in person at the following Department of Natural Resources offices:

 

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield, Illinois

 

2317 E. Lincolnway

Sterling, Illinois

 

15676 State Highway 54

Clinton, Illinois

 

11731 State Highway 37

Benton, Illinois

 

4521 Alton Commerce Parkway

Alton, Illinois

 

2)         Eligible military members must apply within two years after their return from abroad or release from mobilization, provide verification of dates of service abroad or verification of dates of mobilization (see Section 2510.20) and provide a photo identification card.

 

3)         Veterans can apply at any time and must provide a form DD-214 and a photo identification card.

 

c)         The Armed Forces Special Pass (camping), issued to eligible military members, shall become effective on the date of application and shall expire on the same month and day in the year the entitlement expires.

 

d)        The Combined Sportsman's License will expire March 31 of each year.  If eligible, a new Combined Sportsman's License, stamp and deer permit may be obtained by following the procedures under subsection (b).  Eligible military members can show an unexpired Armed Forces Special Pass to obtain a new license, stamp or permit.

 

e)         After the initial issuance of one-half price licenses under subsection (b), eligible veterans may obtain one-half price licenses in subsequent years through the Department website or over-the-counter from any of the Department's direct license agents.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 3902, effective February 24, 2012)

 

Section 2510.50  Violations

 

            a)         Violation of this Part is a petty offense (see 520 ILCS 5/3.5).

 

b)         Obtaining licenses, stamps, permits or an Armed Forces Special Pass (camping) by providing false information is a Class 4 Felony (see 720 ILCS 5/16-1).

 

c)         Misuse of the Armed Forces Special Pass, such as obtaining a campsite for others for times the member does not camp at the site, shall result in forfeiture of the pass, in addition to other penalties prescribed by law.