The Prairie State is home to a vast array of experiences, from fishing on Lake Michigan in the shadow of Chicago’s skyscrapers to hunting deer, turkey, and even black bear in the southern part of the state. Iconic lands of Illinois include the Shawnee National Forest, which features rocky hills, tranquil streams, and even the “Little Grand Canyon.” For anglers, Illinois boasts plentiful smallmouth bass, catfish, and carp. Waterfowl hunting is excellent in the Illinois River Valley, and the state’s plentiful corn and soybean fields contribute to trophy whitetail deer populations.
For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in Illinois, please contact:
Illinois State Caucus Fact Sheet
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus
Representative
Mike Bost
Representative
Darin LaHood
Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leadership
Senator
Neil Anderson
Representative
Larry Walsh
News Alerts
Dec 03 2024
Hunting Tournaments Survive Illinois Veto Session
Why It Matters: Although victories may be secured during regular sessions, Governors in some...
Jun 10 2024
Bill to Ban Hunting Contests Fails to Pass as Illinois Legislature Adjourns
Why It Matters: Each year, state legislatures around the country introduce and consider bills...
May 20 2024
The Fight Continues: Bill to Ban Hunting Contests Revived After Missing Deadline
Why It Matters: Following relentless efforts from anti-hunting organizations, a bill that sought to...
Apr 29 2024
Fur the Win: Illinois Hunting Tournament Ban Misses Deadline
Why It Matters: Bills that seek to prohibit hunters from participating in contests or...
Apr 15 2024
Liberty and Turkeys for All: Illinois Bills Would Expand Opportunities for Youth Hunters
Why It Matters: Allowing the use of small-bore shotguns such as the .410-bore and...
Nov 06 2023
Does and Don’ts: Deer Season Updates in the Great Lakes States
Why it Matters: The 2023 legislative sessions have brought several key changes to deer...
Mar 20 2023
CSF Weighs in on Multiple Bills that Would Impact Conservation Funding in Illinois
Why It Matters: Throughout any given legislative session, bill proposals run the gamut of...
Feb 21 2023
CSF Opposes Illinois Bill That Would Prohibit the Transfer of Ammunition
Why It Matters: Legislation that restricts sportsmen and women from sharing in the enjoyment...
Jan 17 2023
Illinois Bans Semi-Automatic Firearms and Standard Capacity Magazines
Highlights: Following a dead-of-night House vote and a Sunday evening Senate session, the lame-duck...
Dec 12 2022
Key Takeaways from Hunting and Trapping Regulatory Clean-Up in Illinois
Why It Matters: When regulations are updated by a state’s fish and wildlife management...
Dec 12 2022
Key Takeaways from Hunting and Trapping Regulatory Clean-Up in Illinois
Why It Matters: When regulations are updated by a state’s fish and wildlife management...
Aug 02 2021
Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Review the Definition of Muzzleloading Rifles
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States ManagerHighlightsWhy it matters: While CSF maintains that state fish...
Jun 17 2019
Illinois: Legislation to Expand Apprentice & Youth Deer Hunting opportunities heads to Governor’s Desk
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States ManagerEarlier this month, Illinois HB 3623, which proposes...
May 13 2019
Illinois: CSF and Sportsmen’s Caucus Host Annual Reception
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States ManagerOn May 8, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF)...
Apr 08 2019
Illinois: Legislation Could Expand Apprentice Hunting Opportunities
By Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States ManagerIllinois HB 3623, sponsored by Illinois Sportsmen’s Caucus...
Aug 24 2018
Illinois: Governor Signs Pro-Hunting Blaze Pink, Poaching Regulation Bills into Law
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States CoordinatorOn August 18, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor...
Aug 10 2018
Great Lakes: CSF and Partners Support the Fight against Asian Carp
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States CoordinatorOn August 2, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF)...
Jun 15 2018
Illinois: Spring Legislative Session Concludes, Pro-Hunting & Angling Bills Headed to Governor
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States CoordinatorOn May 31, the Illinois General Assembly finished...
Apr 20 2018
Illinois: CSF and Sportsmen’s Caucus Host Annual Dinner
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States CoordinatorOn April 17, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF)...
Sep 14 2017
Illinois: Crossbow Hunting during Archery Season Now Legal
On September 8, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Bruce Rauner signed IL HB 2893...
Sep 07 2017
Illinois: NASC EC President Representative Phelps Steps Down, Leaves Lasting Legacy
On September 1, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council (EC) President Brandon...
Jun 29 2017
Illinois: Bill to Allow Crossbow Hunting During Archery Season Headed to Governor
On June 25, the Illinois House of Representatives concurred with the Senate’s amendments to...
Mar 30 2017
Illinois: Lead Ammunition Ban Threatens State’s Professional Wildlife Management
Passed by the Illinois Senate Committee on Environment and Conservation on March 16, IL...
Mar 16 2017
Illinois: CSF and Sportsmen’s Caucus Host Wild Game Dinner
On March 15, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus...
Feb 09 2017
Illinois: Bill to Expand Crossbow Hunting Opportunities Introduced
Introduced on February 1, Illinois House Bill 1771 (IL H 1771) would allow hunters...
Jan 19 2017
Illinois: Legislation Introduced to Legalize Suppressors
Sponsored by Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Senator Bill Haine, Illinois Senate Bill 50...
Aug 11 2016
CSF Staff Attends NCSL Annual Summit
On August 8-11 Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) staff hosted a booth at the National...
Apr 21 2016
Illinois: CSF and State Sportsmen’s Caucus Gather with Hunters and Anglers of the Midwest
On April 13, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus...
Apr 22 2015
Illinois Sportsmen’s Caucus and CSF Celebrate Hunting and Angling Heritage
On April 21, the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted...
Sep 18 2013
National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses’ 10th Annual Sportsman - Legislator Summit
Registration is now open for the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses' (NASC) 10th Annual...
Latest policy updates
Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such...
“No-Net-Loss” of public lands has become increasingly important to ensure access to...
Concerned about the uncertainty that 30x30 policies may pose for hunting and...
Introduction Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease...
Properly managed wildlife habitat is essential for supporting sustainable and healthy wildlife...
Knife industry and advocacy groups have successfully worked with the U.S. Congress...
More than half of the states in this nation do not protect...
A standard capacity magazine generally means any detachable ammunition feeding device that...
Recent advances in technology, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), which can...
In an attempt to encourage novice hunter participation, many states now offer...
Recreational fishing is widely accepted as a wholesome and non-controversial lifetime outdoor...
In an effort to improve the quality of young people’s lives, several...
The vast majority of states throughout the nation offer an online component...
Reports and Data
Jan 01 2022
Illinois: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet
Illinois: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet
Jan 01 2013
2013 Sportsmen's Economic Impact Report - Illinois
2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report - Illinois
Jan 01 2007
2006 Economic Impact Report — Illinois
Annual spending by Illinois sportsmen and women is more than one and a half...
Take Action
Advocate for policies impacting your state. Contact your States Program Team Member to learn how you can help make a difference and protect outdoor traditions.
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