Circus Elephants Banned In Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, IL — If you want to take your kids to see elephants at the circus, you'll have to do it before the start of the New Year. On Aug. 11, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill that made Illinois the first state in the country to ban the use of elephants in traveling circuses that come to Illinois. The law is a victory for animal rights activists, not to mention elephants, which have endured abuses behind the scenes. The issue has been polarizing, as many people attach a fond nostalgia to the thought of seeing elephants at the circus.

The law will officially take effect on Jan. 1, 2018 and will not only be the first to ban the use of elephants but also the first nationwide to ban the use of animals in performing acts, according to WTTW. The bill passed unanimously in the Illinois Senate by a 55-0 vote. In the House, there was some resistance, but the bill passed with a 91-14 vote before Rauner's signature sealed the deal.

The milestone law comes just months after Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey announced the curtain was coming down on its iconic show. The dwindling popularity of circuses, paired with the public's heightened awareness of cruelty to elephants, helped propel the original bill into law. Actress and Illinois native Jane Lynch even approached the governor with a personal plea for Illinois to ban circus elephants. She said, "Elephants are majestic, gentle giants with complex needs."

According to multiple reports, the peaceful pachyderms have been chained, beaten, and starved during their time with traveling circuses. After Illinois, perhaps more states will let circus elephants parade out of their often too-harsh spotlight.

>>Image via Pixabay

What do you think of the circus elephant ban in Illinois? Let us know in the comments.