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Ralph Loos: New ‘rewilding’ law in Illinois an open invite for skeptics among us

Ralph Loos writes that as it pertains to the “rewilding” bill in Illinois, most “no” votes were cast by lawmakers who tend to side with the state’s hunters and fishermen, including former DNR Director Wayne Rosenthal, R-Morrisonville. (Stock photo)

Anytime a missive begins “Illinois is the first state to . . .” or “Illinois has done what no other state has done . . .” most of us who’ve been around the block a few times here are naturally skeptical about what comes next.
That’s certainly the case with the new “rewilding” law that goes into effect on the first day of 2026. What is it? Tough to say, really. Using the term “rewilding” makes it sound like something those of us who support hunting, fishing and all things outdoors should celebrate.

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