Illinois House Bill Would Legalize Backyard Chickens In The State

Here's a quick, one question pop quiz, hotshots.

Backyard chickens are/is:

• A great band name
• A great restaurant name
• Something that over 11 million US households currently keep
• A practice that's okay in some parts of Illinois, but definitely not okay in many others
• All of the above

It's all of the above, and if a bill in the Illinois House ends up going all the way through to be signed by the governor, the number of Illinois households doing it should go way up.

Are you interested, or are backyard chickens something that you'd rather let others take on?

What Started Out For Many As A Quirky Hobby, Or Something To Do During The Pandemic, Has Gone Mainstream Across The Country

Thanks to abundant pieces on social media since 2020, neighbors are discovering that a small flock of hens can provide fresh eggs, reduce food waste, and even teach kids about animal care and food systems. But in Illinois, where local rules vary wildly from town to town, the ability to keep a few chickens around has been anything but consistent.

That may be about to change. Earlier this month, Illinois House Bill 4764 was introduced with the goal of creating a statewide right for Illinois residents to keep backyard chickens.

If passed, the bill would amend the state’s existing Garden Act (soon to be renamed the Vegetable Garden and Backyard Chicken Protection Act) to guarantee that any state resident can keep hens on their property for their own personal, noncommercial use. That means no municipality could decide to declare an outright ban on hens within city limits, though they could still set "reasonable regulations" on coop placement, sanitation, setbacks, and nuisance control.

For Places Like Rockford, This Would Be A Major Change

Right now, local ordinances differ a lot as you travel the state. For example, here in Rockford, backyard chickens are not permitted under current city rules. Rockford residents are prohibited from keeping any type of fowl in residential areas, and past proposals to allow up to four hens were rejected by the Rockford City Council.

That local-versus-state tension is exactly what HB4764 addresses. Under the proposed law:

• Illinois residents would have a protected right to keep hens at home.

• Municipalities could regulate how chickens are kept (sanitation, noise control, health and safety), but not ban them outright.

• Rules requiring neighbor approval or consent before someone can keep chickens would be prohibited.

• Homeowners’ associations and restrictive covenants could still govern on private property, but public ordinances couldn’t effectively stop chickens.

The Overall Thought Behind The Bill Is That Keeping A Few Chickens For Personal Use Shouldn't Be Treated The Same As If You Were Running A Commercial Farm

Assuming the bill goes all the way to being passed into law, will you be one of the people who seriously considers doing it at home? Like so many things, there are pros and cons to having backyard chickens. Let's take a look at some.

The Pros

• Fresh eggs at home: Many backyard chicken-keepers say the taste alone makes it worthwhile.

• Food security:  A small flock can provide a steady supply even when store prices spike.

• Natural pest control: Chickens love insects and help reduce yard bugs.

• Educational value:  Kids learn responsibility and where food actually comes from.

• Low maintenance pets: Hens are quieter and easier to deal with than many people expect.

The Cons

• Noise and smell: Even well-kept coops require cleaning and consideration for neighbors.

• Predators: Raccoons, foxes, hawks, and coyotes see chickens as takeout.

• Start-up costs: Coops, feed, and vet care add up quickly.

• Vacation headaches: Someone has to care for them every single day.

• Hey, not everyone’s a farmer. Good intentions and enthusiasm don’t always equal a happy ending with backyard chickens.