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 of animals by providing them with rights, including individual representation. Such rights and privileges are traditionally reserved for children and other people lacking legal capacity.
AKC abhors animal cruelty and strongly believes that those who harm animals should be held accountable. However, bills such as SB 153 implicitly establish rights for animals, but do nothing to improve the wellbeing of animals or enforce laws to protect animals. Illinois already has numerous state laws regarding animal cruelty and neglect, and an appropriate judicial process in place to handle these situations.
At the very least, AKC is asking the committee to add an amendment stating that nothing in the bill changes the legal status of animals as property under Illinois law.
For talking points and more information:
- View one-pager Laws That Provide Court- Appointed Animal Advocates Could Undermine Animal Welfare
- Visit AKC GR’s Legal Status of Animals Key Issues Page
- Read AKC’s previous alert
What You Can Do:
Submit a witness slip in opposition – Visit the committee hearing page and click on the pencil icon next to Senate Bill 153. Follow the instructions to create a witness slip in opposition.
Contact the House sponsor – Respectfully express your opposition and ask if she would at least consider an amendment protecting the legal status of animals as property:
Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (Aurora)
(217) 782-8028
stephanie.kifowit@att.net
Contact the members of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee prior to the May 11 hearing – If you are a constituent of a committee member, use the form provided to contact the committee. Otherwise, use the following contact information:
Justin Slaughter (Chair- Chicago)
(217)782-0010
justin@repslaughter.com
Chris Bos (Lake Zurich)
(217)782-3696
Bos@ILHouseGOP.org
Kambium Buckner (Chicago)
(217)782-2023
Buckner@illinois26.com
Kelly Cassidy (Chicago)
(217)782-8088
repcassidy@gmail.com
David Friess (Red Bud)
(217) 782-1018
friess@ilhousegop.org
Edgar Gonzalez (Summit)
(217)782-7752
repgonzalez21@gmail.com
Amy Grant (Wheaton)
(217)782-1037
grant@ilhousegop.org
Will Guzzardi (Chicago)
(217)558-1032
will@repguzzardi.com
Deanne Mazzochi (Westmont)
(217)782-1448
mazzochi@ilhousegop.org
Tony McCombie (Rock Falls)
(217)782-3992
McCombie@ilhousegop.org
Delia Ramirez (Chicago)
(217)782-0150
info@repdeliaramirez.com
Dave Severin (Marion)
(217)782-1051
severin@ilhousegop.org
Anne Stava-Murray (Downers Grove)
(217)782-6578
office@repstavamurray.com
Denyse Stoneback (Skokie)
(217)782-3885
info@repdenysestoneback.com
Dave Vella (Loves Park)
(217)782-0455
repdavevella@gmail.com
Maurice West (Rockford)
(217)782-3167
Assistance@StateRepWest.com
Kathleen Willis (Northlake)
(217)782-3374
repwillis77@gmail.com
Patrick Windhorst (Harrisburg)
(217)782-5131
windhorst@ilhousegop.org
Michael Zalewski (Riverside)
(217)782-5280
info@repmikezalewski.org
AKC Government Relations and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners continue to monitor this and all Illinois legislation impacting dog owners. For more information, visit the AKC Legislative Action Center or email doglaw@akc.org.