Attention Illinois Sportsman!!!

[3fowln]

I know that this is a hunting forum, but the topic of this thread is problematic for both anglers and waterfowlers.

Have you guys seen this load of crap! The assault on Illinois sportsmen never ends! Here is another proclamation coming from the northern head of the snake that is Illinois. Apparently toxic agriculture chemicals in private and municipal wells and waters, industrial emissions and pollution (air, land, and water), habitat restoration, ETC. have proved to be too much of a hassle and too hard of a target for legislators.

Sportsmen...lead sinkers...sick'em! They'll never see it coming! We're sitting ducks! This proposed bill is being referred to as the "Gut My Tackle Box Bill." Will this assault stop at fishing lures and weights, or will it bleed over to lead weights on decoys? Do we really need CPO's combing through our gear looking for a lead split-shot while we're out fishing? Do the CPO's in Illinois, who are already short in supply and overworked, really need this added responsibility and headache. Next thing you know...we won't be able to fish with hooks!

This gal has held her APPOINTED seat for about a year, and she is on the Environmental Affairs Committee. Light up her phone and her e-mail! We can beat this one. Contact your local legislator. The entire bill can be found on the web if you would like to know more. The senator's info is available on the web was well. I'll see if I can hunt it down and post it. Sportsman unite!



Quote:
Lead sinker, jig ban proposed
February 12, 2009 at 06:19 PM
BY JEFF LAMPE

Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) has introduced a bill (Senate Bill 1269) in the Illinois legislature that would end the sale or distribution of lead sinkers and lead jigs.

Steans’ bill would also prohibit the use of lead sinkers and lead jigs in “freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, brooks, and similar bodies of water over which the Department of Natural Resources (“the Department”) has jurisdiction.”

Here is a synopsis of the bill:
Creates the Lead Sinker Act. Prohibits any person from selling, supplying, distributing or offering to sell, supply, or distribute lead sinkers and lead jigs. Prohibits the use of lead sinkers and lead jigs to take fish in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, brooks, and similar bodies of water over which the Department of Natural Resources (“the Department”) has jurisdiction under the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Requires the Department, after consulting with the Illinois State Board of Education, to institute an educational program that meets certain requirements. Requires the Department to (i) notify the public about the Act’s prohibitions; (ii) enforce the Act; (iii) confiscate, under certain circumstances, lead jigs or lead sinkers that it finds in the course of enforcing the Act; and (iv) suspend, for not more than 6 months, the hunting and fishing privileges of a person who uses a lead sinker or lead jig to take fish in violation of the Act. Provides fines for violations. Effective one year after becoming law.

[illinois boy in alaska]

Well I love our state of illinois but they just seem to try messing up what we all love the most. THE GREAT OUTDOORS. Currently i am in the military and stationed in alaska. where the salmon and trout are the big fish to fish for. Not even alaska with all those wild salmon coming back every year has that stupid rule. Illinois has just really lost my love for the state as of late when i moved to alaska for the military. The whole FOID card what a pain in my A@&. Being active military and an infantry man i am around guns everyday and i cant even go buy ammo with out that stupid card, or carry my gun in the field to hunt with my dad or father in law while on leave. Well enough ranting. O one more thing is there some where were we can express our feelings on this topic.

Thanks for the post,
SSG PITSENBARGER :evil:

[Take'em7]

Yeah you can express your feelings about it right on here!

Tons of other people will be come tomorrow.

[3fowln]

Here you go...

Contact Heather at:


District Office
State Senator Heather Steans
5533 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640


Phone: 773-769-1717
Fax: 773-769-6901

E-mail: hsteans@senatedem.ilga.gov


Springfield Office
218 B Capitol Building
312 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL 62706

Phone: 217-782-8492

[crab bass]

They must be getting a lot of calls because I called and they wouldn'y let me talk about they just said the bill is being revised and that it was taken the wrong way in a publication down south and they are supposed to be emailing me a statement on this. Typical lying politicians backing uo in their tracks. They all need a good a$$ kicking as far as I'm concerned.

[illinois boy in alaska]

Well took my time here in iraq to make the call instead of my family because this is something that pissed me off. Of course they couldnt give me an answere either. Why is our state wanting to play stupid games all the time. O wait thats the politic way.

[3fowln]

One of the guys in my bass club received the following response from the good senator...




Dear Brian,

Thanks for your e-mail and expressing your thoughts on SB1269.

Working with several fishing and outdoors organizations, I have decided to instead pursue a statewide lead sinker education program rather than the proposal outlined in the current bill.

SB1269 proposed to prohibit the sale and use of lead sinkers and jigs. I understand that many portions of the bill, as written, were objectionable to the fishing community. I believe that fishermen and outdoorsmen are some of the state's best environmentalists and most important advocates for the protection of natural resources.

This Bill was brought to me by constituents in my district who are concerned with the impact of lead on waterfowl. When lead sinkers and jigs are deposited on the floor of our rivers and lakes, waterfowl and the rest of this food chain, including, raptors, mammals, and humankind can be affected. More and more studies are illustrating their damaging consequences. A May 2007 report on its effects on birds from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources found that lead poisoning was the cause of death for 16% of bald eagles from 2001 to 2007, one out of four trumpeter swans over the past two decades, and about 30% of loons in 2006.

While lead comes from many sources in addition to lead weights, it is because of these serious effects and the availability of cost-equivalent non-toxic alternatives that I have introduced this legislation. Other countries, including Great Britain and Canada, and states like New York and Maine have adopted similar legislation and seen positive results, and some of our most cherished national parks like Yellowstone have done the same.

I recently met with Mike Clifford and Don Rego from the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance (ISA). Mike Clifford is the Conservation Director of and on the Executive Board of ISA. Mr. Clifford and I discussed the interests of fishing groups and the intent of the legislation.

After meeting with Mr. Clifford, I have decided to pursue a statewide education program regarding lead weights as an alternative to the full ban. I look forward to working with the stakeholders involved and incorporating your interests in order to create a meaningful education program.

Below, please find the statements from Mike Clifford at the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance.

Sincerely,
Heather A. Steans
State Senator
7th District


Please read the following statement from Mike Clifford of the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance:

``ISA President Don Rego and myself met with Senator Steans today at a restaurant overlooking the Kankakee River to discuss the original bill that was presented.

``The conversation was engaging, informative and focused on a common regard for the natural resources in Illinois held by our group and the Senator.

``If there were any misconceptions on the intent of the bill, or the reasons it was produced, we can say with a great deal of certainty that a genuine concern for the overall well-being for wildlife, people and the resource was always the motivating factor.

``I'm pleased to say that many of the original components are being reconsidered and/or rescinded in order to focus on a strong educational approach as to the dangers of lead.

``The ISA will be a contributor to this educational approach on various levels, and follow the recommendations that are forthcoming from the IDNR and stakeholder groups that have provided valuable input into a serious issue with varying degrees of opinions and approaches.

``Thanks to all of the comments here and on various blogs/message boards, the Senator has been able to get a clear picture of what is important to the sportsmen and women of Illinois.

``Given the chance to take a pro-active stance on reducing the dangers of lead, it has become apparent that a usergroup that contributes $3.3 Million every single day to the economy in this state will take a serious look at traditional fishing methods and consider how we all might come together and make sound choices regarding an environment we all depend on for the future of our sport and the well-being of the wildlife that inhabit our watersheds.

``We asked for the opportunity to take a chance at proving our devotion to these concerns as anglers and citizens, and that chance has been granted.

``It wasn't long ago that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to have a seat at the table in determining policy that affects the rivers and streams we choose to spend a great deal of time among, but a new administration with a history of environmental stewardship has paved the way for every voice to be heard and recognized.

``We have many reasons to be thankful and appreciative for a change.''