Public Act 098-0620
 
SB0853 EnrolledLRB098 05087 JDS 35118 b

    AN ACT concerning safety.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by adding Section
3.1-9 as follows:
 
    (520 ILCS 5/3.1-9 new)
    Sec. 3.1-9. Youth Hunting License.
    Any resident youth age 16 and under may apply to the
Department for a Youth Hunting License, which extends limited
hunting privileges. The Youth Hunting License shall be a
renewable license that shall expire on the March 31 following
the date of issuance.
    For youth age 16 and under, the Youth Hunting License shall
entitle the licensee to hunt while supervised by a parent,
grandparent, or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and
has a valid Illinois hunting license. Possession of a Youth
Hunting License shall serve in lieu of a valid hunting license,
but does not exempt the licensee from compliance with the
requirements of this Code and any rules adopted under this
Code.
    A youth licensed under this Section shall not hunt or carry
a hunting device, including, but not limited to, a firearm, bow
and arrow, or crossbow unless the youth is accompanied by and
under the close personal supervision of a parent, grandparent,
or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and has a valid
Illinois hunting license.
    At age 17 years or when the youth chooses to hunt by
themselves, they are required to successfully complete a hunter
safety course approved by the Department prior to being able to
obtain a full hunting license and subsequently hunt by
themselves.
    In order to be approved for the Youth Hunting License, the
applicant must request a Youth Hunting License from the
Department and submit a $7 fee, which shall be separate from
and additional to any other stamp, permit, tag, or license fee
that may be required for hunting under this Code. The
Department shall adopt rules for the administration of the
program, but shall not require any certificate of competency or
other hunting education as a condition of the Youth Hunting
License.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.