OH NO!!!!!! Please read!

[Dark_Angel_x322]

I was just checking my email and I got one from the chicago herp group and it talked about a ban in chicago for Herps! It is the same ban that was passed in NYC, only NYC was changed to Chicago. I just got into the herp world and i don't want it taken away. here is a post that was on kingsnake about it... http://forums. kingsnake .com/view.php?id=93764,93764
I put spaces around kingsnake so hopefully you can get to it. Please help anyway you can. I don't want to lose my babies. :( Does anyone have ideas how to stop this?

[fateamber]

I think people are trying to ban herps almost everywhere now, they have trying to ban them here for a few years now, stupid rspca!

[BWSmith]

I know of a few Chi-Towners trying to stop it. But it looks grim.

[meow_mix450]

Wow that is a real bummer well i havnt heard that they are banning herps here in ontario might be wrong but i hope u can fight it some how good luck

[Dark_Angel_x322]

BWSmith where are you getting your info and how can I get into the loop better. This is the first I have heard of this and I want to help in anyway I can. I don't want to have to move to keep my herps!

[Ed_r]

BW is getting his info from me. I already have a couple of emails to this alderman, but being a Chicagoan , yu know Burke is pretty heavy in the city. We need some strong backing other wise this will get passed behind our backs. A few members of the CHS are on this as well, I'm sure.

[Ed_r]

This would be a good time for the Chicagoans here to come to the next Chicago Herp Society meeting 7/30/03 I'm sure this is going to be the topic of the evening on how to deal with this.
CHS (http://www.chicagoherp.org/)

[Mike177]

well you could see if there are specal lisenes avilable, or you could just not give them up and dont tell any strangers that u have snakes.

[Ed_r]

They would have to grandfather the people that already posses them, and special task forces set up to enforce this. Some isolated cases of monkey pox from some damn prarie dogs, is ruining our entire hobby in one swoop.

Maybe now when I go on a rant about something or someone acting stupid or saying something stupid, you will know where it is coming from. Unfortunately in the publics eye, owning/possesing herps is a very odd and un-necessary privledge. Well now they are desiding to revoke that privledge. The acts of a few bad eggs ruin it for all the responsible keepers. people dumping Boas in the forest preserve, leaving pet alligators un supervised in front of their house, c/b turtles dumped into ponds and lakes where they don't belong, people taking out their 15' Burm out in public to get macho looks and intimidate the neighborhood, people that say their snake will eat their cat for dinner, are all people you can thank for this.

[RachelS.]

Man, what is this world coming to?! That totally sucks!

[Ed_r]

Man, what is this world coming to?!

Big Brother has taken over. More public schools are wearing uniforms, the banning of exotic pets, these are only a couple of things that are happening. We WERE the Land of the Free, now we are the land of the watched and limited. We are our own worst enemy.

[RaVeNo888o]

people are so ignorant. Its odd, you see more and more programs in schools and such that get kids familiar with herps and then the adults just go and try to ban them. What about all the stray cats that are out and about? you dont see them banning cat!!..cats get in your garden and dig up your plants (and they eat snake food). People just dont know what they are doing, they want to feel like they have done something for the public. Go wash some cars or clean a park..

[Ed_r]

Here is a List of Alderman Involved. Thanks to Tom McCarthy for the list.

If you do deside to contact ANYONE on this list. Please by all means THINK before you speak!!! Don't come across cursing and using slang. Be EDUCATED in your points, and be able to back them up completely. This is not a time for viscious Rants. These are elected officials that hold our future as herpers in their hands!!!

These are the people on the committee who will be hearing the ordinance.

President
Alderman: Isaac Carothers Ward Office: 5937 West Madison Avenue
Chicago, Il 60644 Ward Phone: 773-261-4646 E-Mail: icarothers@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 203
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-3070

Vice Chairman
Alderman: Virginia A. Rugai Ward Office: 10444 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60643 Ward Phone: 773-238-8766 Fax: 773-238-9049 E-Mail: vrugai@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-3072

The rest are all members.
Alderman: Madeline L. Haithcock Ward Office: 449 E. 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60616 Ward Phone: 773-924-0014 E-Mail: mhaithcock@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-6836

Alderman: John A. Pope
Ward Office: 3522 E. 106th Street
Chicago, IL 60617
Ward Phone: 773-721-1999
E-Mail: jpope@cityofchicago.org
City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300
Chicago, IL 60602
City Hall Phone: 312-744-3078

Alderman: James A. Balcer Ward Office: 3659 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60609 Ward Phone: 773-254-6677 E-Mail: jbalcer@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 203
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-6663

Alderman: George A. Cardenas Ward Office: 2829 W. Cermak Rd.
Chicago, IL 60623
Temporary Location Ward Phone: 773/843-9955 E-Mail: T.B.A. City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 203
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-3040

Alderman: Edward M. Burke Ward Office: 2650 W. 51st Street
Chicago, IL 60632 Ward Phone: 773-471-1414 E-Mail: eburke@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 302
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-3380

Alderman: Thomas W. Murphy Ward Office: 8146 S. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60652 Ward Phone: 773-471-1991 E-Mail: tmurphy@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-6856

Alderman: Arenda Troutman Ward Office: 5859 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60621 Ward Phone: 773-324-5224 E-Mail: atroutman@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-6840

Alderman: Daniel S. Solis Ward Office: 2439 S. Oakley
Chicago, IL 60608 Ward Phone: 312-843-1200 E-Mail: dsolis@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 203
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-6845

Alderman: Margaret Laurino Ward Office: 4404 W. Lawrence Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630 Ward Phone: 773-736-5594 E-Mail: mlaurino@cityofchicago.org City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 203
Chicago, IL 60602 City Hall Phone: 312-744-7242

Alderman: Patrick J. O'Connor
Ward Office: 5850 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
Ward Phone: 773-769-1140
E-Mail: poconnor@cityofchicago.org
City Hall Office: 121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 305
Chicago, IL 60602
City Hall Phone: 312-744-6858

[RaVeNo888o]

are those the people trying to get the law passed? srry im not legal term literate. lol

[Teana]

Illinois already has The Dangerous Species Act. It bans adult crocodilians and boids, to name a few. They can't enforce it very well though. They basically leave you alone until you take your pet out in public or piss off someone that knows they're illegal and turns you in. It's ridiculous. Land of the free my ***!!!!!! The Government is trying to control everything we do. They are going against our constitutional rights and they don't care. If more politicians owned reptiles we wouldn't have all these restrictions on them. They don't care what they pass as long as it doesn't restrict what they want to do. They make me so mad!!!!!!

[J-Man]

Crud! I'm probably moving to chicago!

[Ed_r]

Won't matter where you move it will come all over. It just hit Kentucky this week too. Yes IL, already has a dangerous animals act, but banning them all but dogs and cats makes the polaticians so much more powerful.

[paul_le_snake]

didnt read all of this thread, too long and seen it all before.
so
get a petition, find out who is trying to stop reptiles being kept. and find out why they are.
in england animals aid tried to ban all reptiles from being kept as pets, but their main objective is to stop all pets. including cats dogs, hamsters, everything. the best way to change things is to speak out, tell people what reptiles are, what they do and why they do it. make the general public see that reptiles are not slimy, sneaky killers. sounds easier said than done, but all it takes is one person to start the ball rolling

cheers
paul

[snkmn]

man, i am sorry. you have my wishes ....
i agree with you teana , they need to stop, stopping everything and trying to control everything. it is probly gonna become sort of like communist russia in 10 years if we dont start doing something about it. i want us to keep herps. if this happens everywere in this country some peoples lives will be crushed and will be job-less , i know some of you people out there breed and sell reptiles for a liveing and it would be awful if all of those people lost ther jobs. it i has happened befor in other stuff but not from banning. i wish that people would stop trying to stop everything. i know that sounds hipocritical but, it is to no deggree of what they are doing. and that is MY two cents on they issue.

[Gregg M]

Sorry to here about the ban...... In NYC they went through with the ban regardless of peoples attempt to stop it....... There are a few ways around it though....... Get the proper permits to keep the animals you wish to keep...... I feel not everyone should own reptiles, especialy big constrictors, large lizards and ofcourse venomous....... Bans are not always the end of keeping herps in your city or state....... It could also protect the responsable keeper as well...... And most states do have a permit system in place...... Check it out....... Or you can do what I did and move out of the city.....LOL......

[Dark_Angel_x322]

Ok guys I have a e-mail I wrote and I would like some feedback on it before i send it...

To whom it may concern,

I was just recently reading my e-mail and ran across one from the Chicago Herpetological Society's mailing list. In this email it stated that there has been a proposal for banning reptiles. I was wondering how I would go about getting information on potential ban as I am a reptile owner and would be deeply saddened to have to give up my sweet little babies.
I do not understand the reason for this ban. Reptiles can be companion pets just as dogs and cats and are, in my opinion, less dangerous. One hears more in the news about dog bites or attacks than reptile ones. I do agree that crocodilians and large snakes can be dangerous and these are already banned under the dangerous creatures act, I believe. Smaller lizards, however, like the Leopard Gecko or a Chinese Water Dragons can not kill a human or even a cat for that matter. The Leopard gecko does not even grow to be a foot long and a Water Dragon rarely gets to be 2.5' long and 75% of that is a long tail. I own both of these types of lizards and love them just as I love my other furry friends. I do not see animals as pets but rather as friends and children. They come into our lives and teach us responsibility and how to care and love.
I am also not writing just on my behalf but on that of all reptile owners or potential owners that do not know of this proposal. I am especially concerned about my 6 year old nephew who, if this ban was passed, would have to give up his little red eared slider (turtle) that he got for his birthday this passed June. He has fallen in love with the turtle that he has affectionately named Joe and it would break his heart to have to get rid of him.
I would also like to know what would happen to reptiles if this ban was passed. Would they be destroyed or offered for adoption in other places like Burbank, Evergreen Park, or other such suburbs that do not have a ban? Please also take into consideration the fact that some people will “dump” or release their reptiles into the streets or local preserves in an attempt to “save” them or get away from fines or legal action due to this proposal.
With proper care and husbandry reptiles are like our fuzzy friends and are not dangerous nor do they make people sick. I thank you for your time and would appreciate some details on this proposal as it does directly affect me and people I care about.

Sincerely,
Erika (last name)
(Address)
Chicago, IL (zip code)

What do you think? Should I send it and do you think one of them will respond?

[RaVeNo888o]

thats a great email, if you get a response, please post it here..

i don't see the difference between a pet hampter and a pet lizard (cept of course the lizard is better lol) why should the fact that a small harmless lizard is a reptile and therefore catagorized with the larger, more dangerous species, mean they should ban them.. Hey, bears are mammles, so therefore, all mammles should be banned because they could hurt you. come on, get real

[Dark_Angel_x322]

I sent the e-mail.... now its time to wait....

[liltattyprinces]

I think it's a great letter. I hope all goes well i couldn't imagine what i would do if i had to give mine up or my poor kids for that matter. I would like to find out if they respond or not, if they do i'm curious to find out what their reasons are for wanting to ban reptiles, my dog i can honestly say is far more dangerous than any of the snakes or tarantulas i and the kids own

[jncoclub]

Chicago is home for me even though I lived in FL last year, CT this year, and in Oct I'm going to Hawaii (that’s what you get for loving a Navy man). I am going to Chicago and will be there just in time for the rep show. Although my love for snakes started in FL, I would like to help out in anyway possible to keep my hometown free of bans on herps. Other than contacting the addresses listed above, any other suggestions?

[Ed_r]

The letter is fine, But the email will probably come back to you. Mine did. I already talked to the other members of the CHS and this topic is definately to be discussed and a plan of quick action to be taken. I would advise going to the meeting, you don't need to be a member to attend, but do need to be a member to have a voting say.

[Ed_r]

Biggest things that can be done by everyone, is to make people you know in Chicago aware of what is going on. What the Alderman and commity ar doing is trying to pass this un-apposed by anyone, that is why it is listed in an obscure place. Tell everyone this does not only effect Herp keepers, But it effects anyone who enjoys the company of an animal that isn't a dog or cat. This includes birds, mice, hamsters, Guinnie Pigs, rabbits, All herps, Possibly fish too. Anything that could be considered exotic.
If you know someone in Chicago have them go to their Alderman and tell them to vote no on this subject. Once this gets to be public knowledge the harder it will be to get passed.

[Dark_Angel_x322]

How long did it take for your email to bounce back? mine hasn't come back yet and it has been over 4 hours. Do you think they got it? Oh and I won't be able to make it to the CHS meeting cuz i have to work but if someone could send me some notes on it I would be grateful. Thanks!

[remsin76]

i live in nyc and the stores told me its only illegal to sell boids. keeping them is allowed. dont really know how tis works out