Illinois Rep. Cassidy’s traveling animal act ban expansion bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy aims to broaden Illinois’ restrictions on the use of elephants and other specified animals in traveling performances, supplementing existing animal welfare laws, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 73 Democrats and three Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 33 Republicans opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 37 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while one Democrat and three Republicans voted against it.

Cassidy introduced the bill in the Illinois House on Dec. 19, 2025 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as HB4255, was passed on May 20, 2026 during the general assembly session 104.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill’s official text as follows: “Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to “covered animals” rather than just elephants. Defines “covered animal” as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill expands Illinois’ existing ban on elephants in traveling animal acts to cover additional species, making it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly allow elephants, non-domestic cats in the felidae family, non-human primates, bears or their hybrids to participate in traveling performances. It defines covered animals and what constitutes a traveling animal act, and exempts performances at permanent, fixed facilities where the animals are not transported for the show. The bill states it is intended to supplement, not replace, other animal welfare laws and preserves local governments’ authority to adopt stricter protections. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Anna Moeller (Democrat-43rd District), Rep. Barbara Hernandez (Democrat-50th District), and Rep. Carol Ammons (Democrat-103rd District), along with 20 other sponsors.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Cassidy, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State House in 2011 to represent the state’s 14th House District, replacing previous state representative Harry Osterman.

Lawmakers listed as “Not Voting” were present for the vote but did not cast a vote. Those marked as having an “Excused Absence” were not present and formally provided a reason for their absence, which was accepted.