HJ0101 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0101 LRB094 19658 RSP 56079 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Attacks by vicious and dangerous dogs are a threat to the public health and safety of Illinois residents; and

WHEREAS, Attacks against vulnerable residents are being reported to law enforcement officials and animal control officers; and

WHEREAS, Enforcement challenges have risen with respect to addressing issues relating to vicious and dangerous dogs; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that the General Assembly take comprehensive action to ensure the safety of the residents of this State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created a Vicious and Dangerous Dog Task Force to hold hearings to explore and make recommendations designed to address protecting the public health and safety stemming from vicious and dangerous dog attacks; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force shall consist of 17 members and two ex parte members as follows: one member appointed by the Speaker of the House, one member appointed by the House Minority Leader, one member appointed by the President of the Senate, and one member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; one member shall be a representative of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association; one member shall be a representative from the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium; one member shall be a representative of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association; one member shall be the Cook County Animal Control Administrator or his or her designee; one member shall be a representative of the County Animal Controls of Illinois; one member shall be a representative of the Illinois Farm Bureau; one member shall be a representative from a private not for profit humane society in a county with a population under 130,000 appointed by the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation; one member shall be the Cook County State's Attorney, or his or her designee; one member shall be the McHenry County State's Attorney, or his or her designee; one member shall be a representative of the Illinois State's Attorney Association; one member shall be a representative of the ASPCA; one member shall be appointed by the American Kennel Club; one member shall be an animal behaviorist appointed by the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine; one ex parte representative appointed by the Department of Agriculture; and one ex parte representative appointed by the Department of Public Health; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force shall hold at least four hearings, which shall be held in geographically separate regions of the State, and shall report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2006; the Task Force members shall receive no compensation; the Task Force shall be dissolved upon reporting its finding and recommendations to the General Assembly.