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SB 1951

IDNR-GRAY FOX SEASON

104th Regular Session Introduced by Linda Holmes and 1 co-sponsor

Gives DNR authority to set and adjust gray fox seasons and bag limits, including temporary emergency rules, to respond quickly to population and management needs.

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Bill Summary · SB 1951

Summary — SB 1951 (IDNR — Gray Fox Season)

Status: Enacted (signed by Governor 6/20/2025) — Effective 1/1/2026
Primary sponsor: Sen. Linda Holmes; Co-sponsor: Sen. Rachel Ventura
Companion bill: HB 3258

Purpose / Intent

SB 1951 updates the Wildlife Code and the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to (1) give the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) greater administrative flexibility to set and change gray fox seasons and limits, and (2) provide a short-term emergency rulemaking authority to DNR to implement those changes promptly.

Key provisions

  • Amends statutes:

    • Adds 5 ILCS 100/5-45.65 (new) to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
    • Amends 520 ILCS 5/1.4 and 520 ILCS 5/2.30 (Wildlife Code).

  • Gray fox season and limits (520 ILCS 5/2.30):

    • Makes it unlawful to trap or hunt gray fox except during an open season.
    • Changes the statutory phrasing so the gray fox open season "may" be set annually by the Director of Natural Resources between 12:01 a.m. Nov. 1 and 12:00 midnight Feb. 15 (both inclusive), giving the Director discretion rather than a mandatory annual setting.
    • Explicitly authorizes the Director, by administrative rule, to:
    • set the specific dates of the season;
    • lengthen, shorten, or close the season for gray fox when the species' biological balance is affected;
    • set, lessen, or increase daily bag limits or possession limits for gray fox.

  • Emergency rulemaking (5 ILCS 100/5-45.65 and 520 ILCS 5/1.4):

    • Adds a statutory authorization for DNR to adopt emergency rules under Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to implement the Wildlife Code changes made by this Act.
    • Declares such emergency rulemaking necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
    • The new emergency-rule authority (5-45.65) is temporary and is repealed one year after the Act’s effective date.

Who is affected

  • Hunters and trappers of gray fox in Illinois (season dates, bag and possession limits may change by rule).
  • DNR — gains greater regulatory discretion and a limited emergency-rule tool to respond quickly to biological or management needs.
  • Law enforcement and licensing entities — will enforce any administratively adopted seasons and limits.
  • Wildlife/conservation stakeholders — may be affected by adaptive management measures intended to protect gray fox populations.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Passed both chambers (Senate concurrence with House amendments) and enrolled; sent to Governor and signed 6/20/2025.
  • Statutory effective date recorded as January 1, 2026.
  • The emergency-rule authorization is temporary and expires one year after the Act’s effective date, but routine administrative rulemaking under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act remains available to DNR thereafter.

Practical impact

SB 1951 increases DNR’s ability to respond quickly to changes in gray fox population status or other management concerns by allowing administrative adjustments to season dates and limits — including short-term emergency rules for immediate implementation. This provides more management flexibility but may reduce predictability for hunters until rules are promulgated.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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