SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) advanced legislation to ban sales on ivory through a key senate committee earlier today.  

“By stopping the sale of ivory here in Illinois, we can help prevent the brutal, illegal poaching of rhinos and elephants abroad,” Holmes said. “It’s our responsibility to do what we can in Illinois to protect these remarkable animals.”

According to the World Wildlife Foundation, tens of thousands of elephants are killed every year for their ivory tusks. In the 1980s, it is estimated nearly 100,000 elephants were killed each year and up to 80 percent of herds were lost in some areas. Holmes’ proposal, House Bill 4843, charges individuals caught selling ivory with a Class A misdemeanor and fine of up to $1000.

“Decades of senseless poaching have totally decimated the populations of these animals across the world. Only with time and commonsense measures like this will we ever see their numbers recover,” Holmes said.

Guns and knives that are older than 100 years and less than 20 percent ivory are exempt from the ban. Musical instruments older than 1975 and made from less than 20 percent ivory are also exempt from the ban. If signed into law, Illinois will join California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington in banning the sale of ivory.

Holmes’ proposal passed the Illinois Senate Environment and Conservation Committee with a vote of 5-0. It will now head to the Senate floor for a vote.