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SPRINGFIELD — Three bills sponsored by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, have been approved by the General Assembly.

The bills will prohibit retail pet sales, help end dog-breed discrimination by insurance companies, make public housing more pet inclusive, and increase sterilization options for shelter dogs and cats in the state. House Bill 1744 and Senate Bills 154, 1672 and 1673 all await Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.

SB 154, 1672 and 1673 — sponsored by Stuart and Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes and D-Aurora, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, were spearheaded by Best Friends Animal Society, with the support of other organizations.

SB 154 would require housing providers who receive funds from the Affordable Housing Act Trust Fund as of Jan. 1, 2022, to allow tenants in 500-square-feet or larger units to have at least two cats or one dog that weighs less than 50 pounds. Providers would not be allowed to prohibit dogs because of their breed or weight.

SB 1672 would require insurance companies to report data on all dog-related claims to help end breed discrimination.

SB 1673 changes the words “spay” and “neuter” to “sterilize” to allow shelter veterinarians to use nonsurgical sterilization for shelter dogs and cats, in addition to spaying or neutering.

Additionally, HB 1711 would prohibit Illinois pet stores from selling cats and dogs, but would allow stores to host adoption events with shelters and rescue groups. This legislation would make Illinois the fifth state to stop pet stores from selling dogs and cats.

via Alton Telegraph

June 11, 2021 at 06:14AM