In the News

Illinois Statehouse News, February 16, 2010

SPRINGFIELD  –  It’s been more than two years since Illinois lawmakers banned horse slaughter, and effectively shut down the last plant in the U.S..  Now one state lawmaker says there’s enough proof to show the ban is making things worse for horses.

State Representative Jim Sacia says the number of horses being abandoned of shipped off to Mexico has jumped since the 2007.  He’s pushing a plan that would repeal the ban on commercial horse slaughter.  Sacia says he’s trying to improve the “end of life” for horses in the state.

But he understands that emotion will play a large role in debate.  Sacia says he’s already received a number of angry emails about the horse slaughter ban.

Suburban Democratic State Senator Susan Garrett says she understands the emotion, and the issue.

Garrett says people in Illinois see horses as members of their families, like a dog or a cat.  She also doesn’t like the idea of changing the law to benefit one company. 

The horse slaughter plant in DeKalb was the last in the United States, it could re-open under Sacica’s legislation.

Sacia says he hopes to get a hearing for his plan next week, but isn’t guessing at his chances of shepherding the plan to Governor Quinn’s desk.

http://illinoisstatehousenews.com/2010/02/16/illinois-horse-slaughter-ban-targeted-again/