Illinois Rep. Gill’s fish and aquatic life code update bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Mary Gill aims to update definitions, licensing, and enforcement rules in Illinois’ fish and aquatic life code following approval in both chambers, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

In the House, 72 Democrats and 37 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 38 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Gill introduced the bill in the Illinois House on Feb. 5, 2026 during the 104th session.

The legislation, known as HB5136, was passed on May 27, 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 Fish and Aquatic Life Code. In provisions concerning fishing licenses, provides that the holder of a lifetime fishing or hunting license or a lifetime sportsmen’s combination license that was purchased on or after January 1, 2027 must pay the corresponding resident or non-resident fee when purchasing any permits or stamps required under the Code or the Wildlife Code based on the license holder’s current permanent abode when purchasing the permit or stamp. Further provides that, if the lifetime license holder does not live in Illinois at the time of application for any lotteries, drawings, permits, or stamps that are issued or held pursuant to the Code, the Wildlife Code, or any administrative rules issued pursuant to the Code or the Wildlife Code, that lifetime license holder shall be considered a non-resident for purposes of all lotteries, drawings, permits, or stamps issued or held pursuant to the Code, the Wildlife Code, or any administrative rules issued pursuant to the Code or the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall suspend the privileges of any person who pleads guilty to, is found guilty of, or receives court supervision for a violation of provisions concerning fee fishing areas. Provides that the Department may refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke any license issued under the Code if the Department finds that the licensed area or its operator is not in compliance with these requirements. Makes other changes.”

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

In essence, this bill revises multiple sections of the Illinois Fish and Aquatic Life Code to update definitions, gear and size limits, licensing rules, and enforcement powers. It clarifies resident status, daily and length limits, and permitted fishing methods and devices, including detailed mesh and hook requirements. It tightens commercial and aquaculture record-keeping, labeling, and tagging rules, and specifies values and penalties for illegally taken aquatic life. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, buyers of new lifetime hunting, fishing, or sportsmen’s licenses must pay resident or nonresident fees for future permits and stamps based on their current abode, and nonresidents are treated as such in lotteries and drawings. The bill also requires the Department of Natural Resources to suspend privileges for violations at daily fee fishing areas and gives the agency broader authority to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for noncompliance.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (Democrat-22nd District), Rep. Joyce Mason (Democrat-61st District), and Sen. Michael W. Halpin (Democrat-36th District), along with one other sponsor.

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.

Gill graduated from Moraine Valley Community College in 2000 and again in 2003 from St. Ambrose University.

Gill, a Democrat, was elected to the Illinois State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 35th House District, replacing previous state representative Frances Ann Hurley.

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.

While the final vote determined the bill’s passage, lawmakers in both chambers held an additional vote related to a concurrence. This earlier vote is included below for context.