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SB 3152

WILDLIFE-TRAP MEASUREMENT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Norine Hammond and 2 co-sponsors

Illinois narrows trap sizes and updates terminology to foothold traps, standardizing jaw-diameter measurement to improve enforcement and animal welfare.

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Bill Summary · SB 3152

Summary of SB3152 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Jurisdiction: Illinois
Title: Wildlife - Trap Measurement

Effective date: Immediate upon becoming law

Primary sponsor: Sen. Patrick J. Joyce (co-sponsor: Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh Jr.)

Committee history: Passed Agriculture committee with amendments; advanced to the House; placed on calendar for third reading and subsequently transmitted. Reflects standard legislative process with amendments.

1) Purpose and intent

SB3152 amends the Illinois Wildlife Code to update terminology and trap measurement standards for trapping, with a focus on ensuring uniformity and clarity in how trap jaw spreads are defined and measured. The bill modifies the language from "leghold" to "foothold" and specifies a standardized method for measuring trap jaw diameter.

Key effect: Clarifies prohibited configurations and measurement methodology to improve enforcement and animal welfare considerations in trapping practices.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Terminology update:

    • Replaces references to “leghold” traps with “foothold” traps throughout the trapping provisions.

  • Trap size measurement standard:

    • The diameter measurement for traps is specified as being taken from the inside edges of the outermost portion of the jaws of the trap.
    • This measurement applies consistently to both land and water settings.

  • Prohibited trap configurations (selected highlights):

    • Land traps:
    • Foothold leghold traps or similar construction with jaw spread larger than 6.5 inches (16.6 cm).
    • Body-gripping traps or similar construction with jaw spread larger than 7 inches on a side if square, or 8 inches if round.
    • Water traps:
    • Foothold leghold traps or similar with jaw spread larger than 7.5 inches (19.1 cm).
    • Body-gripping traps or similar with jaw spread larger than 10 inches on a side if square, or 12 inches if round.
    • Saw-toothed, spiked, or toothed jaws remain unlawful.

  • Seasonal and species-specific restrictions:

    • Special restrictions on beaver and river otter trapping, including size limitations for foothold and body-gripping traps, with exceptions during the raccoon open season.

  • Proximity and concealment:

    • Prohibition on placing traps within 10 feet of a hole or den occupied by game or fur-bearing mammals, with an exception for water sets.
    • Prohibits placing or maintaining traps near bait that is not completely covered and concealed from sight (30 feet restriction), again with water-set exception.

  • Trap types and setups:

    • Prohibits traps designed to take more than one mammal at a single setting (colony, cage, box, stove-pipe traps).

  • Closed season and enforcement:

    • Traps set during the closed trapping season are unlawful, with proof of placement during the closed season treated as prima facie evidence of violation.

  • Additional specifications:

    • There are detailed provisions regarding snare trap dimensions, line diameters, and locking/mechanisms to ensure proper functioning and safety.

3) Who or what is affected

  • Trappers and trap users in Illinois:

    • Must comply with revised terminology and measurement methodology.
    • Must adhere to updated jaw-spread limits and trap-type restrictions for both land and water settings.
    • Must observe proximity to den holes, concealment requirements around bait, and season-specific restrictions for certain species (beaver, river otter, raccoon season considerations).

  • Wildlife and animal welfare:

    • Aims to reduce overly large or inhumane traps and improve welfare standards by codifying measurement methods and tightening certain trap geometries.

  • Law enforcement and wildlife agencies:

    • Enforcement and inspection protocols will reference the clarified measurement standard and updated terminology.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill was introduced February 2, 2026, and proceeded through introduced-to-committee steps with Senate amendments.
  • It passed the Senate committee and advanced to the House, where it underwent readings and was placed on the calendar for third reading in April 2026.
  • The act states it takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Note: The bill text references prior amendments and a 2023 statute change referenced as P.A. 103-37 (eff. 6-9-23). The current bill’s primary changes are the terminology update and a precise measurement standard for trap jaw diameter.

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

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