2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 510 - ANIMALS › 510 ILCS 68/ - Herptiles-Herps Act › Article 10 - Venomous Reptiles

(510 ILCS 68/Art. 10 heading)
ARTICLE 10.    VENOMOUS REPTILES
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-5)
Sec. 10-5. Venomous reptile defined.  Venomous reptiles include, but are not limited to, any medically significant venomous species of the families or genera of the Order Squamata: Helodermatidae, such as gila monsters and beaded lizards; Elapidae, such as cobras and coral snakes; Hydrophiidae, such as sea snakes; Viperidae and Crotalinae, such as vipers and pit vipers; Atractaspididae, such as burrowing asps; Colubridae in the following genera that shall be determined by administrative rule: West Indian racers (Alsophis); boigas and mangrove snakes (Boiga); road guarders (Conophis); Boomslangs (Dispholidus); false water cobras (Hydrodynastes); varied or hooded keelbacks (Macropisthodon); Montpellier snakes (Malpolon); kukri snakes (Oligodon); collared snakes (Phalotris); palm snakes or green racers (Philodryas); sand snakes or racers (Psammophis); keelbacks (Rhabdophis); beaked snakes (Rhamphiophis); twig snakes (Thelotornis); black tree snakes (Thrasops); Pampas snakes (Tomodon); Wagler's snakes (Waglerophis); false fer-de-lances (Xenodon); specimens or eggs of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis); and any other species added through legislative process designated.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-10)
Sec. 10-10. Surgically altered venomous reptiles.  It is not a defense to a violation of Article 65 that the person violating that Article has had the venomous reptile surgically altered to render it harmless.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-15)
Sec. 10-15. Venomous reptile permit requirements.  In addition to those requirements listed in Articles 60 and 65 of this Act, Herptile Special Use permits may be issued to residents using approved venomous reptile species only for bona fide educational programs, following an inspection and approval of the proposed facilities.  A minimum of 6 documented programs shall be required of each permittee per calendar year.  Unless addressed or exempted by administrative rule, annual permit renewal must be accompanied by a non-refundable fee as set by the Department by administrative rule and documented proof of educational programs completed on the recipient's letterhead. Prospective permittees must have 250 documented hours of experience with venomous reptiles.  The Department or the Department of Agriculture reserves the right to inspect permittees and facilities during reasonable hours.  Additions to permits must be approved prior to acquisition of additional venomous reptiles, and any changes shall be reported to the Department in writing no later than the first business day after that change occurred.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-20)
Sec. 10-20. Approved venomous reptiles.  Permittees may keep legally obtained venomous reptile specimens native to the United States, except the following species: Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus); Western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox); Mojave rattlesnakes (Crotalus scutulatus); Southern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus helleri); Eastern and Texas coral snakes (Micrurus fulvius); Sonoran coral snakes (Micruroides euryxanthus); and timber/canebrake rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) from the southern portions of their range (Oklahoma, southern Arkansas, Louisiana, and also southeastern South Carolina south through eastern Georgia to northern Florida), known as "Type A" and containing canebrake toxin.
Except for Boomslangs (Dispholidus), twig snakes (Thelotornis), keelbacks (Rhabdophis), Lichtenstein's green racer (Philodryas olfersii), and brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), medically significant snakes in the family Colubridae defined in Section 10-5 of this Article may be possessed with a  permit.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-25)
Sec. 10-25. Maintenance of venomous reptiles.   Permittees shall keep approved venomous reptiles in strong escape-proof enclosures that at a minimum are: impact resistant, locked at all times, prominently labeled with the permittee's full name, address, telephone number, list of cage contents by scientific and common names, and a sign labeled "venomous".  The signage shall also include the type and location of antivenom and contact information of the person or organization possessing the antivenom.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-30)
Sec. 10-30. Educational programs with approved venomous reptiles.  Permittees shall keep approved venomous reptiles in strong escape-proof enclosures that at a minimum are: impact resistant, locked at all times, prominently labeled with the permittee's full name, address, telephone number, list of cage contents by scientific and common names, and a sign labeled "venomous".  Labeling shall also include the type and location of antivenom and contact information of the person or organization possessing the antivenom.  Interiors of enclosures may not be accessible to the public.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-35)
Sec. 10-35. Transport of approved venomous reptiles.  During transport of any approved venomous reptile, it must be kept out of sight of the public in an escape-proof enclosure at all times that is labeled "venomous".  Transport of any venomous reptile to any public venue, commercial establishment, retail establishment, or educational institution shall only be for bona fide educational programs or veterinary care.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
(510 ILCS 68/10-40)
Sec. 10-40. Additional regulations.  Venomous reptiles shall not be bred, sold, or offered for sale within this State.  The Department may approve limited transfers among existing permittees as set forth in administrative rule.
As determined by the Department, non-residents may apply for a permit not to exceed 15 consecutive days to use venomous reptiles in bona fide educational programs.  The fee for the permit shall be set by administrative rule, and all fees shall be deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund.
(Source: P.A. 102-315, eff. 1-1-22; 103-363, eff. 7-28-23.)