Hunters in Illinois might be allowed to carry a digital copy of their hunting license rather than a physical one if House Bill 3093 passes the Senate, as it did in the House on March 15.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Litchfield), was introduced in the House on February 9 and passed on its third reading. The Senate took it up on March 16, and it now has been referred to the Assignments Committee. Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) is its chief sponsor in the Senate.
“This bill makes hunting licenses able to be carried electronically,” Bourne said. “It’s an initiative of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).”
The bill would also allow the DNR to develop a digital app to store all available hunting licenses.
Illinois offers several licenses, including sportsmen, fishing and hunting combinations with long- and short-term options. Hunters could in theory have faster and less cumbersome access to their license(s) through a smartphone. They will still have to renew and pay the associated fees.
The DNR has yet to say how much the initiative will cost or if there is any cost savings associated with it.
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