Bill
SB 2050
Expands no-fee deer/turkey/combination permits to resident landowners and bona fide equity owners with 40+ acres, enables year-round farm-land use, and sets entity-permit caps.
Note on document inconsistencies
- The supplied bill header lists the title as relating to "Corrections; extend repealer on intensive supervision program and electronic home detention" and the subject as Corrections, but the bill text amends the Illinois Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/3.1‑6). This summary addresses the actual bill text provided (Wildlife Code changes). The legislative-action timeline in the record contains date inconsistencies; status is shown as "Approved by Governor" in the provided materials.
Purpose and intent
- To revise Section 3.1‑6 of the Illinois Wildlife Code to (1) clarify and expand who qualifies for no‑fee landowner deer/turkey/combination hunting permits, (2) define eligible “bona fide” equity owners for corporate/LLC/partnership land ownership, and (3) specify permit validity (including year‑round use on farm lands) and per‑person permit allowances for resident landowners.
Key provisions
- Definitions: Establishes (or clarifies) definitions for:
- “Bona fide equity shareholder” (corporation),
- “Bona fide equity member” (limited liability company), and
- “Bona fide equity partner” (general or limited partnership).
- These definitions generally require the ownership interest to accurately reflect percentage ownership, to be purchased (or properly acquired) at market value, and an intent to retain the ownership interest for at least five years (full statutory language in the bill).
- No‑fee permits — eligibility:
- Illinois resident landowners who own at least 40 acres and wish to hunt only on their land are entitled to landowner deer, turkey, and combination permits without charge.
- Resident tenants of at least 40 acres of commercial agricultural land where they will hunt are also eligible.
- Bona fide equity shareholders/members/partners of entities that own at least 40 acres in a county may receive one no‑fee permit for each 40 acres owned by the entity in that county (subject to caps below).
- Entity permit caps:
- Permits issued without charge to bona fide equity shareholders of any corporation or bona fide equity members of an LLC in any county shall not exceed 15.
- For bona fide equity partners of a partnership, the county cap is 3.
- Permit validity and scope:
- The no‑fee deer, turkey, or combination hunting permit is valid year‑round on all farm lands the permit holder owns, leases, or rents.
- For permits issued to bona fide equity shareholders/members/partners, the permit is valid on all lands owned by the corporation/LLC/partnership in the county.
- Resident deer permits:
- Resident landowners are entitled to up to 5 Resident Deer Archery Either‑Sex Permits and up to 5 Resident Deer Either‑Sex Firearm Permits without charge.
- Nonresident owners:
- Nonresidents who own at least 40 acres and wish to hunt on their land only may be charged a fee set by administrative rule.
- Implementation details (administrative rulemaking):
- The method for obtaining these permits and any fee schedules for nonresidents are to be prescribed by administrative rule.
Who is affected
- Illinois resident landowners and resident tenants owning/using 40+ acres of farm/agricultural land.
- Individuals who are bona fide equity owners (shareholders, LLC members, partners) of entities that own qualifying land.
- Nonresident landowners who may face administrative fees.
- The Department of Natural Resources (or relevant wildlife agency) for rulemaking and permit administration.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Bill text introduced in early 2025 (sponsor: Sen. Neil Anderson).
- According to the provided actions, the bill moved through committee and floor stages in spring 2025 and is indicated as “Approved by Governor” in the supplied record; however, the action dates include inconsistencies (some approval dates precede later recorded actions). Readers should consult the official Illinois General Assembly or Secretary of State records for the final enacted text and exact effective date.
Effect
- Expands/clarifies eligibility for free landowner hunting permits, formalizes definitions for entity‑based land ownership eligible for permits, allows year‑round use on farm lands owned/leased/rented, and increases the number of resident deer permits available to individual landowners (up to five each for archery and firearm either‑sex permits).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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