Section 525.55  Bats

a)         Bats may not be shot, trapped, transported or held in confinement except as allowed by Section 525.75.

b)         Exterior and interior exclusion may be performed at any time of the year.

c)         Permanent eviction of bats may be performed from:

1)         March 15 through May 15 when outdoor temperatures are forecasted to exceed 50 degrees F. at dusk for a minimum of 2 consecutive nights;

2)         August 5 through October 30 when outdoor temperatures are forecasted to exceed 50 degrees F. at dusk for a minimum of 2 consecutive nights and the permittee has made a reasonable attempt to determine young are capable of flight; and

3)         May 16 through August 4 and October 31 through March 14 if the following conditions are met:

i)          Definitive species identification and, if applicable, proper permits are issued by Department staff to safely and legally handle State or federally threatened or endangered species;

ii)         Bats have been found in the living quarters of a residence, in a place of business, or within a building where people congregate;

iii)        The Permittee contacted Department staff at (217)785-2614 to request authority to permanently evict bats from a structure;

iv)        Department staff has assessed the situation to determine if there is a human health and safety hazard; staff may do so jointly with the local health department and issue an official decision to the permittee within 2 business days after notification; and

v)         Property owners and/or residents are informed of secondary health hazards that may result from the exclusion of parents and death of flightless pups left in the structure/residence.

d)         Violation is a Class B misdemeanor.

(Source:  Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 9392, effective August 23, 2019)