(510 ILCS 45/1)

(from Ch. 8, par. 901)

Sec. 1.

This Act may be cited as the

Carrier, Racing, Hobby, and Show Pigeon Act of 1993.

(Source: P.A. 88‑136.)

(510 ILCS 45/2)

(from Ch. 8, par. 902)

Sec. 2.

As used in this Act:

(a) "Carrier pigeon" means homing and racing pigeons which have the name of the owner stamped upon the wing or tail, or are banded upon the leg with the name or initials of the owner or with an identification or registration number stamped on the band.

(b) "Racing pigeon" means a pigeon registered with a national pigeon racing organization and used as a game competitive bird. The pigeons are not to be identified or classified as fowl when raised and used in the sport and hobby of racing carrier pigeons.

(c) "Department" means the health department of any municipality or county, in unincorporated areas and shall include the head of such department or any employee acting in his stead.

(d) "Loft" means any structure in which carrier, hobby, or show pigeons are housed.

(e) "Hobby or show pigeons" means pigeons that are raised for the purpose of a hobby or exhibited for show and must have a band on one leg with an identification number along with the year the bird was raised. These pigeons are not to be identified or classified as fowl when raised for hobby or show. These pigeons need not be registered with any organization.

(Source: P.A. 88‑136.)

(510 ILCS 45/3)

(from Ch. 8, par. 903)

Sec. 3.

(a) The construction of a loft shall comply with the building code regulations of the municipality or county in which it is erected.

(b) The loft shall at all times be in compliance with regulations prescribed by the department and be maintained in a clean, orderly condition, kept in good repair and inspected annually.

(Source: P.A. 83‑1526.)

(510 ILCS 45/4)

(from Ch. 8, par. 904)

Sec. 4.

(a) The requirements of zoning regulations relating to restrictions on the location of stables and poultry enclosures shall not apply to a loft for which a permit has been issued.

(b) A person to whom the department has issued a carrier, hobby, or show pigeon permit may erect and maintain a loft of carrier, hobby, or show pigeons in the municipality or county.

(Source: P.A. 88‑136.)

(510 ILCS 45/5)

(from Ch. 8, par. 905)

Sec. 5.

(a) An owner of pigeons to whom the department has issued a carrier, hobby, or show pigeon permit, or his agent, shall be allowed to fly the pigeons for necessary exercise and training.

(b) The owner, or his agent, is not required to restrict his training and conditioning program unless duly proven to be in violation of a municipal or county health or nuisance ordinance.

(Source: P.A. 88‑136.)

(510 ILCS 45/6)

(from Ch. 8, par. 906)

Sec. 6.

Any person not the owner thereof, who shall shoot, kill, maim or injure any Antwerp or homing pigeon, commonly called "carrier pigeon," hobby, or show pigeon knowing the same to be such, or who shall entrap, catch, detain, or shall remove any mark, band or other means of identification from such pigeon, provided that such pigeon at the time shall have the name of the owner stamped or marked upon it, or have upon it a band with the owner's name, initial or number thereon, shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined for each offense not more than $100 nor less than $50.

(Source: P.A. 88‑136.)

(510 ILCS 45/7)

(from Ch. 8, par. 907)

Sec. 7.

A municipality located in a county with fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants or a county shall not enact an ordinance which prohibits the orderly keeping of carrier pigeons, hobby, or show pigeons, except that any municipality located within a county having 3,000,000 or more inhabitants may enact an ordinance to prohibit or regulate the orderly keeping of carrier, racing, hobby, or show pigeons.

(Source: P.A. 88‑136; 89‑651, eff. 8‑14‑96.)

(510 ILCS 45/8)

(from Ch. 8, par. 908)

Sec. 8.

This Act applies to all municipalities and counties and pursuant to paragraph (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Constitution, this Act is a limitation upon the power of home rule units to enact ordinances contrary to this Act.

(Source: P.A. 83‑1526.)