HB4255 Expands Criminal Code Protections for Traveling Animal Acts
Summary
The Illinois House passed HB4255 on April 7, 2026, amending the Criminal Code of 2012 to expand protections for animals in traveling acts. The bill replaces the narrow focus on elephants with a broader definition of "covered animals" encompassing Elephantidae, Felidae (excluding domestic cats), non-human primates, and Ursidae. Traveling animal acts in Illinois must comply with these expanded restrictions starting July 1, 2026.
What changed
HB4255 amends the Illinois Criminal Code to expand the scope of protections for animals in traveling acts from elephants only to a broader category of "covered animals" including all Elephantidae, Felidae (excluding domestic cats), non-human primates, and Ursidae, along with their hybrids. The bill retains existing provisions that allow local governments to adopt stricter animal welfare ordinances and clarifies that state law does not limit additional protections. A severability clause ensures other provisions remain intact if any part is invalidated.
For entities operating traveling animal acts in Illinois, compliance requirements now extend beyond elephants to include big cats, non-human primates, and bears. The legislation takes effect July 1, 2026, providing approximately 90 days for affected parties to review operations, update policies, and ensure all covered animals are handled in accordance with the expanded statutory requirements. Local units of government retain authority to impose additional animal welfare restrictions.
What to do next
- Review traveling animal act operations for covered animal species compliance
- Ensure compliance with Illinois Criminal Code restrictions on covered animals in traveling acts by July 1, 2026
- Verify local ordinances do not conflict with state law provisions
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Illinois / HB4255 Passed HB4255 House Bill Passed 2025-12-19
CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.
Bill Details
State Illinois
Session 104th General Assembly
Chamber House
Official Source www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum...
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Sponsors
Kelly Cassidy (Rep - D) Diane Blair-Sherlock (Rep - D) Michelle Mussman (Rep - D) Joyce Mason (Rep - D) Kimberly Du Buclet (Rep - D) Margaret Croke (Rep - D) Dagmara Avelar (Rep - D) Barbara Hernandez (Rep - D) Laura Faver Dias (Rep - D) Lindsey LaPointe (Rep - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 009-002-000 2026-04-02 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe 2026-03-20 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias 2026-03-20 H House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee 2026-03-19 H House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 2026-03-19 H House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy 2026-03-19 H Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 2026-03-18 H Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 008-005-000 2026-03-13 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez 2026-03-12 H Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee 2026-01-27 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar 2026-01-27 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke 2026-01-16 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet 2026-01-16 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason 2026-01-16 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman 2026-01-16 H Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock 2026-01-14 H Referred to Rules Committee 2026-01-14 H First Reading 2025-12-19 H Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
Committee Referrals
2026-01-14 H Rules 2026-03-12 H Judiciary - Criminal 2026-03-19 H Rules 2026-03-20 H Judiciary - Criminal
Amendments
2026-03-19 House Amendment 001
Bill Text Versions
2025-12-19 Introduced Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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