West Central Reporter

Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer introduced HB1315 in the Illinois House on Jan. 14, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Wildlife Code. In provisions concerning special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses, provides that one or more of the following shall constitute evidence of land ownership: a current property tax bill for the property showing that the hunter is the owner of the property; a current income tax return filed with the Department of Revenue by the hunter showing that the hunter is the owner of the property; or a current Conservation Reserve Program credit award from the United States Department of Agriculture, naming the individual hunter as the credit awardee."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Wildlife Code in Illinois and specifies evidence required for special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses related to land ownership. It defines "bona fide equity member," "bona fide equity partner," and "bona fide equity shareholder," detailing conditions under which these individuals, as well as Illinois landowners and resident tenants, can obtain hunting permits without charge. To qualify for these permits, individuals must own or be associated with at least 40 acres of land. Evidence of land ownership can include a current property tax bill, an income tax return filed with the Department of Revenue, or a Conservation Reserve Program credit award from the USDA. Nonresident landowners can obtain permits for a fee. The bill stipulates that hunting permits issued without a fee are valid on all farmland owned, leased, or rented by the permit holder, with particular rules for equity stakeholders. The method for obtaining these permits is to be set by administrative rule.

Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer has proposed another three bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Davidsmeyer graduated from Miami the University of Ohio in 2002 with a BA.

Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 100th House District. He replaced previous state representative Jim Watson in 2012.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB1315	01/14/2025	Amends the Wildlife Code. In provisions concerning special deer, turkey, and combination hunting licenses, provides that one or more of the following shall constitute evidence of land ownership: a current property tax bill for the property showing that the hunter is the owner of the property; a current income tax return filed with the Department of Revenue by the hunter showing that the hunter is the owner of the property; or a current Conservation Reserve Program credit award from the United States Department of Agriculture, naming the individual hunter as the credit awardee.
HB1316	01/14/2025	Amends the School Code. Requires all school officials to immediately notify the office of the principal in the event that they: observe any person in possession of a firearm on school grounds; become aware of any person in possession of a firearm on school grounds; or become aware of any threat of gun violence on school grounds. If there is a report filed notifying a local law enforcement agency of any of such event, requires the principal to immediately notify the student's parent or guardian and, in coordination with the local law enforcement agency, to attempt to meet with the student's parent or guardian to ensure the student does not have access to a firearm. Effective immediately.
HB1317	01/14/2025	Repeals the Illinois TRUST Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Effective immediately.
HB1318	01/14/2025	Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a Firearm Owner's Identification Card shall expire on the cardholder's birthday occurring immediately after the 10-year period from the date of issuance. Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a concealed carry license shall expire on the licensee's birthday occurring immediately after the 5-year period from the date of issuance.
HB1319	01/14/2025	Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Provides that an association or other entity that has, as one of its purposes, promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within the State shall exempt students who are unable to attend the required number of practices to participate in an interscholastic game, match, or other competition due to activities connected to military service from the practice requirement.
HB1320	01/14/2025	Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that each Department shall restore, within 18 months after closure, the site of a facility operated by the Department to its original condition before the facility was built if the facility is closed and no longer is maintained as a facility. Provides that the cost of the restoration of the site shall be paid by the Department that operated the facility.