SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) today helped pass legislation out of the Senate that creates a trapping season for river otters to help reduce the increasing growth of these animals in Illinois.

Senate Bill 1337 allows for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to establish and set a timeline for a trapping season for river otters between November 1 and March 31 during any given year. The bill also limits Illinois trappers to 5 river otters per season and caps the registration and tagging fees at $5 per otter.

“River otters can cause major problems for farmers,” Senator Forby, a co-sponsor of the measure, said. “They can completely ruin a fish population if they get into a lake or pond. This isn’t just a problem in my district; it’s beginning to affect the entire state.”

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) and State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) are working to acquire federal assistance funding for Southern Illinois counties affected by major flooding over the past two weeks.

“In order to request a federal disaster declaration, officials need to be able to accurately assess the damage so residents and businesses can get fully reimbursed,” Senator Forby said. “Unfortunately, some areas are still so flooded right now that they can’t be assessed yet. It’s a process, but we’re doing everything we can to speed it up.”

After a disaster occurs, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) must conduct preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other officials to determine the amount of damage for local businesses, private property and public infrastructure.

However, the ability to gather this information can be delayed due to the severity of the disaster. In this case, Forby says, flood waters in many areas haven’t receded enough to allow for a preliminary damage assessment.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) today responded with major criticism to Governor Pat Quinn’s latest vow to veto concealed carry legislation if it were to pass the House and Senate chambers.

The governor held a press conference earlier today in an effort to persuade lawmakers not to support legislation that would bring concealed carry to Illinois. With support in both chambers at an all-time high, the press conference came just ahead of an affirmative committee vote later today that sent a concealed carry measure, House Bill 148, to the House floor.

“The governor is completely out of touch with what the people outside of Chicago want on this issue,” Senator Forby argued. “Over 290 million people in 48 other states can responsibly exercise their right to carry concealed weapons. It’s ridiculous that 5 million people who don’t trust their law-abiding neighbors enough are the ones blocking this right from 7.5 million other citizens.”

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