§ 2

As used in this Act the following words have the following meanings: "Board" means the Endangered Species Protection Board created by this Act. "Conservation" means to use and the use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered species or threatened species to the point at which the measures provided pursuant to this Act are no longer necessary. Such methods and procedures include, but are not limited to, all activities associated with scientific resources management such as research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, propagation and transplantation. "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources and "Director" means the Director of that Department. "Endangered Species" means any species of plant or animal classified as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, P.L. 93-205, and amendments thereto, plus such other species which the Board may list as in danger of extinction in the wild in Illinois due to one or more causes including but not limited to, the destruction, diminution or disturbance of habitat, overexploitation, predation, pollution, disease, or other natural or manmade factors affecting its prospects of survival. "Threatened Species" means any species of plant or animal classified as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, P.L. 93-205, and amendments thereto, plus such other species which the Board may list as likely to become endangered in the wild in Illinois within the foreseeable future. "Animal" means those organisms commonly included in the science of zoology and generally distinguished from plants by possession of a nervous system and the ability to move from place to place, including all invertebrates such as sponges and mollusks as well as vertebrates such as fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. "Animal Product" means the fur, hide, skin, teeth, feathers, tusks, claws, eggs, nests or the body or any portion thereof whether in a green or raw state or as a product manufactured or refined from an animal protected under this Act or under rules issued pursuant to this Act. "Plant" means any organism not considered to be an animal, and shall include such organisms as algae, fungi, bryophytes, and ferns, as well as flowering plants and conifers. "Plant Product" means any plant body or part thereof removed from natural habitat, including seeds, fruits, roots, stems, flowers, leaves, or products made from any of these, including extracts or powders. "Essential Habitat" means the specific ecological conditions required by an endangered or threatened species for its survival and propagation, or physical examples of these conditions. "Take" means, in reference to animals and animal products, to harm, hunt, shoot, pursue, lure, wound, kill, destroy, harass, gig, spear, ensnare, trap, capture, collect, or to attempt to engage in such conduct. "Take" means, in reference to plants and plant products, to collect, pick, cut, dig up, kill, destroy, bury, crush, or harm in any manner. "Illinois List" means a list of species of animals and plants listed by the Board as endangered or threatened. "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, trust, association, private entity, government agency, or their agents, and representatives.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)