Governor Quinn Signs Law to Reduce Fishing and Hunting License Fees for Older Adults

CARTERVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today visited Crab Orchard Lake in southern Illinois to sign a law that reduces sport fishing and hunting license fees to $1 for Illinois residents over 75 years of age. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to help more older adults enjoy recreational opportunities in Illinois.

"Illinois' older adults who hunt and fish have supported these natural treasures for a lifetime," Governor Quinn said. "It is time to honor them for their commitment to Illinois' hunting and fishing opportunities by making it easier for them to renew their licenses."

House Bill 4329, sponsored by State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) and State Representative Jack Franks (D-Marengo), reduces the sport fishing and hunting license fee to $1 for Illinois residents who are over 75 years of age. The new law also waives the fee for Salmon Stamps, Inland Trout Stamps, State Migratory Waterfowl Stamps, State Habitat Stamps, Pheasant Stamps and State Furbearer Stamps for Illinois residents who are over 75 years of age. Under current law, adults age 65 or older pay $7.25 for resident fishing and $6 for hunting licenses, which is half the normal fee. Maintaining the $1 fee allows Illinois to capture federal funds that are apportioned to the states according to how many licenses are sold, the state's land area and other factors. The new law is effective immediately.

"Our senior citizens are the same folks who taught us to hunt and fish," Senator Forby said. "This is our way of saying thank you."

"It is responsible management of our hunting and fishing license dollars to be sure we continue to receive federal funds that help us manage and maintain our fisheries, public hunting lands and other infrastructure," Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller said. "The $1 we collect insures that our hunters and anglers over 75 years of age are counted, and their dollars spent on sporting equipment are properly returned to Illinois."

Illinois has about one million people who fish and more than 500,000 who hunt. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, people who hunt and fish in Illinois spend about $2 billion on hunting and fishing trips, equipment and other expenses.