Find here a copy of the bill, H.B. 4801, as it passed the Illinois House of Representatives.

This bill would ban the ownership of all chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, bonobo, gibbon, monkey, lemur, loris, aye-aye, and tarsier. The bill would not apply to primates already owned in Illinois before January 1, 2011 though owners must register their animals.

The bill would also not apply to zoos, federally licensed exhibits, circuses, colleges or universities, scientific institutions, research labs, veterinary hospitals, hound running areas or animal refuges.  

Persons with severe mobility impairment could continue to own capuchin monkeys as long as they are registered and obtained from a licensed, nonprofit organization.

The bill is now in the Senate Consumer Protection Committee. Find members here (just click on their names for contact info) Find your Illinois senators here and urge them to vote yes on H.B. 4801.

House Sponsors are Reps. Daniel J. Burke - Patrick J. Verschoore - Susana A. Mendoza, Eddie Washington, Harry Osterman, Elizabeth Coulson, Paul D. Froehlich, Maria Antonia Berrios and John A. Fritchey

Senate Sponsors are Sens. Don Harmon , Michael Bond and William Delgado.

For more information about why wild animals should not be kept as pets....