Protecting animals
Animal protection is a top priority among many suburban Cook County voters, and residents expect their elected officials to take pro-animal votes during each legislative session.
We at Humane Society Legislative Fund were thrilled to announce the results of our 2023 Legislative Scorecard, which we use to hold legislators accountable, showcasing four landmark bills passing into law this past session. Illinois now prohibits the unnecessary use of dogs and cats in toxicity testing, public contact with bears and nonhuman primates, breed-based insurance policies and predatory practices in pet financing.
These victories were made possible by the legislators of suburban Cook County who stood up for votes on animal protection bills. Representatives Lisa Hernandez, Welch, Gong-Gershowitz, Gabel, Rashid, Rita, Burke, Meyers-Martin, Moeller, Crespo, Ladisch Douglass, Hirschauer, Walker, Canty, Moylan, Mussman, Morgan, Didech, Norma Hernandez and Lilly and Senators Fine, Porfirio, Castro, Glowiak Hilton, Lewis, Gillespie, Johnson, Harmon and Curran, all scored 100% and should be commended. Moeller, in addition, led as sponsor on the issue of toxicity testing.
We urge other lawmakers to look to the examples set by these humane allies and to lend their support to the lifesaving cause of animal protection.
It says a lot about a candidate the way they perceive animals. We ask our legislators to continue to speak for those that cannot speak for themselves - Cook County has always been a leading force at the state Capitol protecting animals and we look forward to working with its lawmakers again next session.
Marc Ayers, Illinois Director
Humane Society Legislative Fund
Springfield