Illinois Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Ban New Fur Farms, Require Licensing for Existing Operations

SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation that would end the establishment of new fur farms in Illinois.House Bill 4777 would also require existing fur farms to obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources by January 1, 2028. The Animal Welfare Institute says mink, foxes and other animals on fur farms incubate diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 and H5N1, creating conditions for new variants to jump to humans.