Illinois Traveling Animal Act

The Problem…

In 2018, the Illinois Traveling Animal Act went into effect, prohibiting elephants from being transported across Illinois for performances. This was a great first step, but numerous species are impacted by circuses, fairs, trade shows, and more.

Animals in traveling acts often do not have adequate care, housing, or training. They are subject to prolonged confinement and forced performances. So, in 2025, a proposed amendment, HB4255, was introduced to expand the original bill to include primates, bears, and non-domestic cats such as lions and tigers.

…Solved!

Along with other organizations that care about animal welfare, Lincoln Park Zoo was part of the effort to help the Illinois Traveling Animal Act become law. In May 2026, the bill passed both the Illinois House and Senate. In late June, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4255 into law and the newly amended Illinois Traveling Animal Act went into effect on July 1, 2026.

The impact has been immediate. Unethical animal acts such as the Banana Derby, in which capuchin monkeys are tethered to racing dogs for entertainment, can no longer take place in Illinois. The new law will also hopefully influence other nearby states to pass similar legislation, much the way the original 2018 Traveling Animal Act spurred other states to implement bans on elephant performances.

You Can Still Help Animals

Thank you to everyone who took a stand to help animals and sent a message to their representatives to support this important effort. The successful passing of this expansion shows that, when we work together, we can make a real difference.

To continue supporting animal welfare with Lincoln Park Zoo, sign up for our advocacy emails below and Take Action With Us! And, if you’d like to help legislation targeting animal welfare on a national level, visit our page on the Captive Primate Safety Act and be a voice for intelligent animals so closely related to us.

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