SB0853 EngrossedLRB098 05087 JDS 35118 b



1    AN ACT concerning safety.

 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly: 


 
4    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended  by adding Section 
53.1-9 as follows:
 
6    (520 ILCS 5/3.1-9 new)
7    Sec. 3.1-9. Youth Hunting License.
8    Any resident youth age 16 and under may apply to the 
9Department for a Youth Hunting License, which extends limited 
10hunting privileges. The Youth Hunting License shall be a 
11renewable license that shall expire on the March 31 following 
12the date of issuance.
13    For youth age 16 and under, the Youth Hunting License shall 
14entitle the licensee to hunt while supervised  by a parent, 
15grandparent, or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and 
16has a valid Illinois hunting license.  Possession of a Youth 
17Hunting License shall serve in lieu of a valid hunting license, 
18but does not exempt the licensee from compliance with the 
19requirements of this Code and any rules adopted under this 
20Code.
21    A youth licensed under this Section shall not hunt or carry 
22a hunting device, including, but not limited to, a firearm, bow 
23and arrow, or crossbow unless the youth is accompanied by and 
 
 
SB0853 Engrossed- 2 -LRB098 05087 JDS 35118 b

1under the close personal supervision of a parent, grandparent, 
2or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and has a valid 
3Illinois hunting license.
4    At age 17 years or when the youth chooses to hunt by 
5themselves, they are required to successfully complete a hunter 
6safety course approved by the Department prior to being able to 
7obtain a full hunting license and subsequently hunt by 
8themselves.
9    In order to be approved for the Youth Hunting License, the 
10applicant must request a Youth Hunting License from the 
11Department and submit a $7 fee, which shall be separate from 
12and additional to any other stamp, permit, tag, or license fee 
13that may be required for hunting under this Code. The 
14Department shall adopt rules for the administration of the 
15program, but shall not require any certificate of competency or 
16other hunting education as a condition of the Youth Hunting 
17License.
 

18    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
19becoming law.