Sangamon Sun

Travis Weaver introduced HB1470 in the Illinois House on Jan. 21, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Wildlife Code. Repeals the definition of "single shot". Provides that the term "wildlife rifle" means a rifle that can hold up to 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Replaces references to single shot rifles with references to wildlife rifles. Provides that it is unlawful to possess or to be in close proximity to a rifle that is not a centerfire wildlife rifle while deer hunting. Deletes language providing that it is unlawful while deer hunting to possess or be in close proximity to a rifle that is not centerfire or to be in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that is capable of making a rifle not a single shot."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Wildlife Code by repealing the definition of "single shot" and establishing the term "wildlife rifle" to mean a rifle that can hold up to three rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. It replaces references to single-shot rifles with wildlife rifles and makes it illegal to possess, or be near, a rifle that is not a centerfire wildlife rifle while deer hunting. It allows deer hunting with shotguns, handguns, centerfire wildlife rifles, muzzleloading rifles, or bows and arrows during specified open seasons. Rifles and shotguns for hunting must have certain caliber specifications and cannot use full metal jacket bullets to harvest deer. The bill also regulates the possession and use of firearms in hunting scenarios, establishing rules for various hunting seasons and ensuring compliance with defined ammunition standards. The effective date of these amendments is not specified in the bill text.

Travis Weaver has proposed another four bills since the beginning of the 104th session.

Weaver graduated from The University of Alabama in 2015 with a BA.

Travis Weaver is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 93rd House District. He replaced previous state representative Norine Hammond in 2023.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB1470	01/21/2025	Amends the Wildlife Code. Repeals the definition of "single shot". Provides that the term "wildlife rifle" means a rifle that can hold up to 3 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined. Replaces references to single shot rifles with references to wildlife rifles. Provides that it is unlawful to possess or to be in close proximity to a rifle that is not a centerfire wildlife rifle while deer hunting. Deletes language providing that it is unlawful while deer hunting to possess or be in close proximity to a rifle that is not centerfire or to be in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that is capable of making a rifle not a single shot.
HB1471	01/21/2025	Amends the Child Labor Law. Provides that a minor may work at an otherwise prohibited workplace if none of the minor's job duties: (1) require any education, formal training, certification, or license; (2) involve the use of any equipment or machinery that poses a substantial risk of causing any serious bodily injury or death; (3) involve the use of or proximity to hazardous materials; or (4) require the minor to work hours past curfew. Provides that every employer of a minor shall record the name of the parent or guardian who gives the minor permission to work. Provides that any employer, upon termination of the employment of a minor, shall immediately send by certified mail notification to the parent or guardian on record that the minor's employment has been terminated and immediately return the certificate issued to the issuing officer. Defines terms.
HB1472	01/21/2025	Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of coercing an abortion. Provides that a person commits the offense when the person uses force, intimidation, coercive control, threat of force, threat of deprivation of food and shelter, or financial assistance in order to compel a woman to undergo an abortion against her will. Provides that coercing an abortion may occur regardless of whether an abortion procedure has been attempted or completed. Provides that coercing an abortion is a Class 3 felony. Defines "abortion" and "coercive control".
HB1473	01/21/2025	Creates the Pregnancy Expenses Act. Provides that the other party to a pregnancy or the other intended parent has a duty to pay 50% of the pregnant person's pregnancy expenses. Allows an action seeking the payment of pregnancy expenses to be brought during or after the pregnancy. Provides that only the pregnant person or the pregnant person's legally authorized designee in the event of death or incapacitation of the pregnant person may bring an action seeking the payment of pregnancy expenses. Allows the court to order the other party to the pregnancy or other intended parent to pay more than 50% of the pregnancy expenses. Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Effective immediately.
HB0017	01/09/2025	Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Central Management Services, in conjunction with the 5 State-funded retirement systems, may enter into a contract with an administrator to establish and conduct a State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program to identify relevant individuals eligible for Medicare but not enrolled in Medicare, and to assist those individuals with enrolling in Social Security and Medicare. Provides that the State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program shall conduct an annual audit of the State health benefits program for everyone covered under the State Employees Group Insurance Program, the Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program, and the College Insurance Program for the purpose of identifying participants and their dependents who are eligible for Medicare under federal law and shall also ensure that those annuitants, retirees, benefit recipients, survivors, or dependents who are eligible for Medicare are enrolled in Medicare with Medicare as their primary health care benefits coverage and the State Health Benefits Program being the secondary provider of their health care benefits coverage. Provides that the State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program shall assist any annuitant, retiree, benefit recipient, survivor or their dependents who becomes disabled, and is not enrolled in Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare, with enrolling in and obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits. Provides that the administrator of the State Retiree Medicare Primacy Coordination Audit and Assistance Program shall provide the Department, the 5 State-funded retirement systems, and the General Assembly with an annual report. Effective January 1, 2026.
HB1115	01/09/2025	Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that homestead property that is owned and used as a primary residence by a Gold Star Parent is exempt from taxation under the Code. Effective immediately.
HB1139	01/09/2025	Creates the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 2025, with provisions similar to those of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995. Effective immediately.