On Tuesday (February 21), an Illinois committee is considering a bill that would prohibit homeowner’s and renter’s insurance providers from refusing or cancelling coverage or increasing premiums based solely on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder.
All responsible dog owners and breeders in Illinois are encouraged to contact the House Insurance Committee to express your support for House Bill 1049. Scroll down for more information.
Summary:
House Bill 1049 prohibits insurers from refusing to issue, renew or cancel or raise premiums for homeowner’s insurance based solely on breed of dog (or mixed-breed) owned by the policyholder for policies changed, renewed, or issued after the law goes into effect. The bill does allow for insurance companies to take these actions if any dog (regardless of breed) has been declared dangerous based on current law, so long as these actions are based on “sound underwriting and actuarial principles” that are reasonably related to actual or anticipated loss.
Illinois state law already expressly prohibits municipalities from passing laws that target specific breeds of dogs. AKC supports House Bill 1049, which is a good first step in extending these protections to homeowners and renters who are responsible dog owners, while still holding all dog owners accountable, regardless of the breed they choose to own.
Visit our BSL Key Issue page for more talking points on this issue.
What You Can Do:
- Submit a witness slip in support on House Bill 1049. Visit the committee hearing page and click on the “Create Witness Slip” icon next to HB 1049.
- Contact the committee members prior to the February 21 hearing and express your support for House Bill 1049:
Rep. Thaddeus Jones, Chair – repjones.jones@gmail.comRep. Bob Morgan, Vice Chair – info@repbobmorgan.com
Rep. Jeff Keicher – keicher@ilhousegop.org
Rep. Jonathan Carroll – jc@repcarroll.com
Rep. Anthony DeLuca – repdeluca@sbcglobal.net
Rep. John Egofske
Rep. La Shawn Ford – repford@lashawnford.com
Rep. William Hauter – (217) 782-0221
Rep. Lilian Jimenez – (217) 782-0150
Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass – Office.RepJLD@gmail.com
Rep. Camille Lilly – staterepcamilleylilly@gmail.com
Rep. Rita Mayfield – (217) 558-1012
Rep. Adam Niemerg – niemerg@ilhousegop.org
Rep. Travis Weaver – (217) 782-8152
Rep. Jawaharial Williams – RepWilliamsOffice@gmail.com
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely follow this bill and all legislation impacting dog owners in Illinois. For questions or more information, contact the AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org