Illinois Code § 2.18-1

§ 2.18-1.

(a) It shall be lawful for any person who holds the licenses, permits and stamps required by this Act for the taking of migratory waterfowl to use, in addition to or in lieu of any other authorized ammunition, either lead or steel shotgun pellets in taking such waterfowl at any location in the State where the hunting of migratory waterfowl is authorized, except as provided under subsection (b) of this Section and at specific sites where there are documented cases of lead poisoning of waterfowl and all alternative methods of alleviating lead poisoning (such as dewatering, flooding and/or tillage) have been determined to be unsuccessful in preventing lead poisoning losses of waterfowl. At such specific sites, shot shell ammunition containing non-toxic pellets, such as steel, shall be used. These specific sites may be designated by the Department after statewide public hearings have been conducted and the results of such hearings have been reviewed. (b) The Department shall be authorized to designate by rule, pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, areas that shall be limited to the use of non-toxic pellets; provided, however, that such authorization shall only exist for those areas which the federal government has mandated shall be closed to all waterfowl hunting unless the State agrees to the prohibition of the use of toxic shotgun pellets. No State agency shall issue or make any rule, regulation, order or agreement which is in conflict with this Section. (Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)