
Illinois
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals. This page is meant to be used as a resource to see what is happening in your state and what actions you can take for animals.
State Rankings
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. It is the longest-running and most authoritative of its kind, assessing the strength of each state’s animal protection laws by examining over 3,400 pages of statutes. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
Illinois
Overall Rank: #2 (Top Tier)
- +Felony animal fighting provisions for all species, and animal fighting is a RICO offense
- +Other agencies or departments have a duty to report suspected animal cruelty
- +Protection orders may include animals
- -Post-conviction forfeiture of animals is not mandatory
- -No immunity for civilians rescuing animals from unattended vehicles

Animal Protection Laws of Illinois
The Animal Protection Laws of Illinois compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Illinois with an effective date on or before September 1, 2021.
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Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Prohibiting Circuses and Traveling Shows that Exploit Animals

Using Local Legislation to Protect Animals: Fur Bans
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2021 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws