Today is the deadline for bills to be heard in an Illinois committee.  Thanks to the many club members and breeders who took the time to register your concerns, the three bills of primary concern to the AKC will not advance in the spring session. These bills included HB 1902 (Mandatory Genetic Testing and Sterilization), HB [...]

The Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee will likely consider a bill next week that would limit pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from shelters and rescues that have no affiliation with breeders. House Bill 1711 is virtually identical to a bill considered and defeated earlier this year by the Senate Agriculture Committee.  However, the committee [...]

A bill is moving in the Illinois Senate that would provide an animal a court advocate in cases involving the health, safety, or an injury of a dog or cat. Senate Bill 153 is similar to bills being introduced in other states in an effort to alter the legal status of animals and provide them with [...]

The Illinois House and Senate continue to consider bills that would limit pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from shelters and rescues that have no affiliation with breeders. Yesterday, the House Consumer Protection Committee passed House Bill 1711, but there was a verbal commitment to negotiate on amendments prior to bringing the bill to [...]

The Illinois Legislature adjourned the spring 2026 session in the early hours Monday morning.  While the lawmakers will come back for a short session later this fall where bills may be considered, this adjournment crosses a major hurdle for bills impacting dog owners and breeders in Illinois. Thanks to a significant response from dog owners and [...]

After no action for almost 10 months,  Senate Bill 153, which would provide an animal a court advocate in cases involving the health, safety, or an injury of a dog or cat, is again on the move. The bill passed the Senate in 2021, and was just placed on the House Calendar where it can be voted on [...]

The Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee is considering a bill on Thursday, May 27, that would limit pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from shelters and rescues that have no affiliation with breeders. We are asking local clubs, club rescues, and dog owners to take a minute TODAY and submit an online witness slip to [...]

Next week is the deadline for House bills in Illinois to get an initial committee hearing, and there are several critical bills for dog owners still pending.  It is important for dog owners and clubs to register your opposition online today on key measures pending in two committees: House Agriculture and Conservation Committee: HB 1902 – Mandatory [...]

The Illinois Legislature returned from Spring Break and immediately continued work on bills impacting dog owners and breeders in the state.  AKC and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs are working hard to advocate for responsible purebred dog owners. We urge dog owners, Illinois dog clubs and breeders to join us in working to protect [...]

This morning, the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee passed a bill that would limit pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from shelters and rescues that have no affiliation with breeders. HB 1711 would restrict pet choice and consumer protection. It also implies that breeders should not be involved in rescue efforts. There are only a [...]

On Tuesday, May 11, an Illinois House Committee will consider Senate Bill 153, which would provide an animal a court advocate in cases involving the health, safety, or an injury of a dog or cat. SB 153 is similar to bills introduced in other states this year, and is part of an effort to alter the legal status [...]

Tomorrow (Tuesday, February 28), two Illinois House committees will consider bills related to dogs and dog ownership. Illinois residents are strongly encouraged to provide comments and submit witness slips today. Express your support for limiting breed discrimination in insurance coverage. (HB 1049) Convey your appreciation for amendments to the bill creating a “lawyers for dogs” program, while [...]

May 27, 2015 Thanks to your calls and e-mails, and the work of the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners (IFDCO), House Bill 4029, as amended, has passed the Senate unanimously. Now, the bill goes back to the House for final approval before going to the governor.  Illinois residents are asked to call your State Representative [...]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) continues to monitor legislation in Illinois that would impose problematic new requirements on licensed dog breeders. House Bill 4778, which mirrors Senate Bill 2990, was scheduled for consideration by the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee on March 24, 2026. The measure would apply “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders, defined under Illinois law as [...]

Although the Illinois session is expected to wind down over the next few weeks, two important bills that would undermine impact responsible dog ownership remain active in the state legislature. AKC and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs are working to advocate and communicate our position to legislators, and we need your help!  We urge [...]

Numerous bills impacting dog owners, breeders, and trainers have been introduced this year in Illinois, and AKC Government Relations and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners have been working diligently to fight on your behalf. We thank all those who have taken the time to file witness slips and contact legislators.  Together we [...]

SB 139 which sought to ban cropping and docking in Illinois, has been amended to remove all substantive language from the bill. It now simply exists as a placeholder or "shell", should the sponsor choose to revisit the issue later in session.  AKC will continue to monitor this legislation and will update our [...]

HB 198 was pulled from the agenda on February 10th, but is now scheduled for a hearing on February 19th at 2pm. The AKC Government Relations department will provide an update after the hearing on our website and will have an alert available at our booth at the International Kennel Club show.   Illinois Alert! Breeders [...]

This past weekend, the Illinois General Assembly adjourned a very busy spring session for dog owners and trainers. We thank the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs, and all who took the time to file witness slips and contact legislators.  Together we are making a difference for dogs in Illinois. Below are the latest updates on [...]

On Tuesday (March 24), the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will consider a bill that would impose extensive new requirements on licensed dog breeders. This bill is identical to SB 2990 considered last week in the Senate and applies “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders (Under Illinois law, a dog breeder is anyone who possesses more [...]

SB 139 is scheduled for a hearing in the Agriculture and Conservation Committee for February 18th at 1pm in Room 409 of the State Capitol. Please contact the committee members and the author to express your concerns. The AKC Government Relations department will provide an update after the hearing on our website and will have [...]

Update! Sen. Sandoval’s office has told AKC and the Illinois Dog Clubs and Breeders Association that the Senator has reconsidered his position on SB1790 and will no longer support it. Many thanks to the countless dog owners who responded swiftly to our initial alert with calls and e-mails—your efforts made all [...]

Purebred dogs play a special and important role in our lives. On May 1, the American Kennel Club invites you to join us as we honor the pride, predictability, and purpose of purebred dogs and promote the preservation of these breeds.  The May 1st National Purebred Dog Day movement was created by Colorado resident and [...]

Due to a number of changes on the Governor's staff, House Bill 2810 is still sitting idle. This bill would increase the instances where an animal is seized on suspicion of cruelty and may result in more Illinois dog owners losing their pets even if they are ultimately found not guilty.

An Illinois bill seeking in part to impose commercial standards on some home-based kennels and breeding programs has been pulled from consideration and will likely not move forward during the spring session. As mentioned in previous alerts, the “one size fits all” standards in Senate Bill 2990 are geared toward large commercial facilities and fail to [...]

Rep. Jerry Mitchell has introduced HB1128, a bill to allow Illinois municipalities to enact breed-specific laws. (A statewide dangerous dog law passed only two years ago prohibits such legislation.) The bill is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on Agriculture and Conservation on Wednesday, February 23rd at 2 p.m. The American Kennel Club [...]

State Issues: News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2017 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. California —AB 485 seeks to require all dogs, cats, and rabbits offered for retail sale [...]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2018 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. California – Assembly Bill 1762 would allow visitors to all California state parks to bring animals when they visit the parks. Animals would [...]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. Arkansas – HB 1778 seeks to require a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and either imprisonment for 1 day to 1 year [...]

41 legislatures and the District of Columbia are in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: Arizona – SB 1462 mandates comprehensive, standardized training for Arizona animal control officers, focusing on legal and animal welfare topics. The bill missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this year. AKC monitored this proposal. Arizona – SB [...]