Section 1070.20  Permit Requirements

a)         It shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, transport, purchase, or dispose of specimens or products of an endangered or threatened animal or federal endangered plant after the date of listing unless a valid permit for such activity has been issued pursuant to this Part or as otherwise provided for in this Section or 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1590 (Falconry and the Captive Propagation of Raptors) or [515 ILCS 5/20-85]; [520 ILCS 5/3.11, 3.12, 3.15, 3.16, 3.18 and 3.21].

b)         Any person having a current, valid permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-205, effective December 28, 1973) or an Exhibitor Permit issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the taking, possession, transportation, purchase, or disposal of species designated as endangered or threatened by the Secretary of the Interior of the United States and not known to occur within the State of Illinois, shall be considered to have met the requirements for issuance of a permit pursuant to this Part and shall be issued a permit upon request.

c)         Notwithstanding subsection (a), any person may possess or transport a species on the Illinois list within Illinois for purposes such as circuses, theatrical acts, carnivals, or displays, provided that the listed species is held under a current, valid permit for such purposes issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-205, effective December 28, 1973) or an Exhibitor Permit issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the appropriate authorities of a state other than Illinois, for a period not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year.

d)         Notwithstanding subsection (a), any employee or agent of the Department or the Board or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who is designated by that agency for such purposes, shall be authorized, when acting in the course of his official duties, to take endangered or threatened animals without a permit if such action is necessary to aid a sick, injured or orphaned specimen; or dispose of a dead specimen; or salvage a dead specimen which may be useful for scientific study or educational purposes.

e)         Any taking pursuant to subsection (d) must be reported in writing to the Program Manager within 10 working days.

f)         It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, purchase, or dispose of specimens or products of an endangered or threatened animal or federal endangered plant which was in the possession of that person prior to May 1, 1973, or acquired legally out-of-state unless a valid limited permit for such activity has been issued pursuant to this Part, which permit shall be issued upon proof of pre-Act or legal acquisition.

g)         It shall be unlawful for any person to propagate or attempt to propagate any endangered or threatened animal or federal endangered plant unless a valid permit specifically allowing such activity has been issued pursuant to this Part.

h)         It shall be unlawful for any person to perform taxidermic services upon any product of an endangered or threatened species except as allowed by this Part.

i)          It shall be unlawful for any person to possess an endangered or threatened animal for purposes of veterinary rehabilitation for a period exceeding 90 days unless a valid permit for such activity has been issued pursuant to this Part.  Only persons holding a rehabilitation permit issued by the Department shall possess endangered or threatened animals for such purposes.  All rehabilitators are required to notify the Program Manager within 10 working days of the receipt of any endangered or threatened animals.  Release of rehabilitated animals shall be only at the location at which the animal was collected or at another location approved by the Department.

j)          Permits issued under this Part or valid copies thereof must be in the possession of the holder or his agent when engaged in activities involving endangered or threatened animals or federal endangered plants and presented upon demand to any authorized officer or agent of the Department or any police officer of the State of Illinois or of any unit of local government within the State of Illinois.

k)         No person shall transfer a permit issued pursuant to this Part to another person.

l)          Except as otherwise stated on the face of a permit, any person who is under the direct control of the permittee, or who is employed by or under contract to the permittee for the purposes authorized by the permit, may carry out the activity authorized by the permit.

m)        The authorizations on the face of a permit which allow specific activities (e.g., taking, possession, disposal), specify numbers or quantities of specimens or products, or otherwise permit a specifically limited matter, are to be strictly construed and shall not be interpreted to permit similar or related matters outside the scope of strict construction.

n)         A permittee who furnishes his permit to the Director for endorsement or correction in compliance with this Part may continue those activities authorized by the permit pending its return.

o)         All correspondence regarding permits issued pursuant to this Section shall be addressed to:

Endangered Species Program Manager

Resource Protection and Stewardship

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield IL  62702-1271

(Source:  Amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 10040, effective June 23, 2003)