Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie passed three legislative measures this spring in the Illinois House of Representatives, which were recently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker:
- House Bill 2339Â would automatically phase out the sharpshooting program in an identified county that has not had a confirmed Chronic Wasting Disease case in three years.
- House Bill 2340Â allows for landowner permits to those who own at least 20 acres compared to 40 acres within a positively identified Chronic Wasting Disease county by the Department of Natural Resources.
- SB1158 makes a change that will allow Mutual Aid Box Alarm Systems (MABAS) chiefs to use red or white lights, sirens, and warning devices when responding to emergencies.
Finding a better approach to handling Chronic Wasting Disease has been a top priority, as state efforts to manage the disease have impacted residents in Leader McCombie’s 89th Legislative District. She drove her initiatives based on input from northwest Illinois residents—who were integral in sharing their feedback on viable pathways forward.
“Feedback from constituents is essential in the legislative process, and I’m proud that the efforts to address CWD reflect their voices. It’s a solid start—and we’re not done yet,” said McCombie.
McCombie’s third bill, SB1158, aims to ensure MABAS chiefs can safely respond to emergencies.
“This bill is about keeping people safe, which means first and foremost looking out for our first responders to make sure they have what they need when time is critical,” McCombie said.
More information regarding McCombie’s legislation can be found at https://ilga.gov/.