Section 885.120  Resident Herptile Special Use Permit Requirements, Application and Fee

a)         A Herptile Special Use Permit is required of any resident who commits to conducting at least 6 educational programs per calendar years, for which he or she is seeking to possess any venomous reptile or other special use herptile species, including, but not limited to, any crocodilian, Komodo dragon or crocodile monitor lizard, pursuant to Articles 10, 20 (Crocodilians) and 25 (Monitor Lizards) of the Act, unless exempted under Section 110-5 of the Act.  An application for a Herptile Special Use Permit must file an application with the Department on a form provided by the Department.  Information items requested on application forms will include, but are not limited to:  name, address, phone number, list of herptile species to be requested for that permit.  These forms may be submitted via email at DNR.HerpPermit@illinois.gov, or hardcopy applications may be mailed to IDNR, Herptile Permits, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702. A period of 60 days should be allowed for the Department to receive and approve permits. Unless otherwise exempted by the Department, prior to any person obtaining a Herptile Special Use Permit, the following criteria must be met:

1)         Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and complete all portions of the permit application form.  Incomplete applications will be rejected.

2)         Each applicant must submit payment for each application.  The nonrefundable annual fee for a residential Herptile Special Use Permit shall be $250 per permittee. 

3)         The requirements of Article 60 of the Act (Herptile Special Use Requirements) must be met.

4)         The venomous or special use herptile species applied for must be included in the approved list in Section 10-20, 20-5 or 25-5 of the Act.

5)         Unless otherwise exempted, proof of the liability insurance or surety bond required by Section 60-5 of the Act shall be provided and maintained during the term of the permit.

b)         In addition to completing a permit application form provided by the Department, the applicant must submit:

1)         an outline of the educational program to be presented.  Every educational program shall include information on the status of the special use herptiles being displayed or utilized and an explanation of the legal acquisition of the specimens;

2)         a list of all similar programs conducted by the applicant during the 2 years preceding the application for a Herptile Special Use Permit, including estimates of the number of persons attending each presentation;

3)         a statement as to how the possession of the specimens or products of special use herptiles by the applicant will enhance the welfare of the species involved;

4)         a description, including photographs, of the facilities intended for use in holding the special use herptile species; and

5)         a verified statement that any special use herptiles will be obtained legally.

c)         A permit for special use herptiles may be issued if the applicant meets the following criteria:

1)         unless exempted (see Section 885.110(b)), the credentials and required hours of experience of the applicant indicate training and experience that will assure the applicant has the ability to conduct the proposed programs;

2)         the program promotes the survival of the special use herptile species and its natural habitat;

3)         the program promotes understanding of the ecological needs of natural populations of the species;

4)         the program promotes understanding of the role of the special use herptile species in its natural environment;

5)         the applicable nonrefundable fee has been submitted (see subsection (a)(2));

6)         unless otherwise exempted, the permit holder has obtained the amount of liability insurance applicable to the number of special use herptiles (see Section 885.150(b)(3));

7)         the facilities to be used to house special use herptile species are shown to meet the standards defined in Section 885.160; and

8)         a pre-inspection of the proposed facilities has been conducted and the Department has approved the facility.

d)         Issuance, modification or denial of a permit shall be at the sole discretion of the Department. Permits may be denied for previous herptile-related violations of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act or 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1070 (Possession of Specimens or Products of Endangered or Threatened Species).  Other grounds for denial of permits include, but are not limited to:  interfering with or obstructing an ongoing investigation, illegal activity involving any herptile-related violations, and misleading or false statements made to the Department or any of its employees.