Lead Sinker, Jig Ban Proposed

Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) has introduced a bill (Senate Bill 1269) in the Illinois legislature that would end the sale or distribution of lead sinkers and lead jigs.

Steans’ bill would also prohibit the use of lead sinkers and lead jigs in “freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, brooks, and similar bodies of water over which the Department of Natural Resources (“the Department”) has jurisdiction.”

Here is a synopsis of the bill:

Creates the Lead Sinker Act. Prohibits any person from selling, supplying, distributing or offering to sell, supply, or distribute lead sinkers and lead jigs. Prohibits the use of lead sinkers and lead jigs to take fish in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, brooks, and similar bodies of water over which the Department of Natural Resources (“the Department”) has jurisdiction under the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Requires the Department, after consulting with the Illinois State Board of Education, to institute an educational program that meets certain requirements. Requires the Department to (i) notify the public about the Act’s prohibitions; (ii) enforce the Act; (iii) confiscate, under certain circumstances, lead jigs or lead sinkers that it finds in the course of enforcing the Act; and (iv) suspend, for not more than 6 months, the hunting and fishing privileges of a person who uses a lead sinker or lead jig to take fish in violation of the Act. Provides fines for violations. Effective one year after becoming law.

By: Jeff Lampe

Click here to read the complete bill.