2 Illinois men accused of shooting gray wolves

GALENA — Two northwestern Illinois men are facing misdemeanor charges after they were accused of shooting gray wolves in Jo Daviess County.

State’s Attorney Terry Kurt says the wolves are protected as “threatened species” under Illinois law.

The (Freeport) Journal-Standard reports that Jason Bourrette of Hanover and James Collachia of Fulton are charged in separate shootings that happened last year.

Kurt says both were charged with unlawful taking of an Illinois threatened species. That’s a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of 364 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Both men are scheduled to appear in court in March. Collachia doesn’t yet have an attorney. Bourrette’s attorney, Thomas Nack, was unavailable for comment.