Public Act 098-0898
 
HB4277 EnrolledLRB098 15949 MGM 50996 b


  
    AN ACT concerning fish.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
    Section 5. The Fish and Aquatic Life Code is amended  by 
changing Section 15-5 as follows:
 



    (515 ILCS 5/15-5)  (from Ch. 56, par. 15-5)



    Sec. 15-5. Commercial fisherman; license requirement. 

    (a) A "commercial fisherman" is defined as any individual 
who uses any
of the commercial fishing devices as defined by 
this Code for the taking of
any aquatic life, except mussels, 
protected by the terms of this Code.

    (b) All commercial fishermen shall have a commercial 
fishing license.
In addition to a commercial fishing license, a 
commercial fisherman shall also obtain a sport fishing license. 
All individuals assisting a licensed commercial fisherman in 
taking aquatic
life, except mussels, from any waters of the 
State must have a commercial
fishing license unless these 
individuals are under the direct supervision
of and aboard the 
same watercraft as the licensed commercial fisherman. An 
individual assisting a licensed commercial fisherman must 
first obtain a sport fishing license. 
    (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the 
contrary, blind or disabled residents may fish with commercial 
fishing devices without holding a sports fishing license. For 
the purpose of this Section, an individual is blind or disabled 
if that individual has a Class 2 disability as defined in 
Section 4A of the Illinois Identification Card Act. For the 
purposes of this Section, an Illinois person with a Disability 
Identification Card issued under the Illinois Identification 
Card Act indicating that the individual named on the card has a 
Class 2 disability shall be adequate documentation of a 
disability. 

    (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the 
contrary, a veteran who, according to the determination of the 
federal Veterans' Administration as certified by the 
Department of Veterans' Affairs, is at least 10% disabled with 
service-related disabilities or in receipt of total disability 
pensions may fish with commercial fishing devices without 
holding a sports fishing license during those periods of the 
year that it is lawful to fish with commercial fishing devices, 
if the respective disabilities do not prevent the veteran from 
fishing in a manner that is safe to him or herself and others. 
    (e) (c) A "Lake Michigan commercial fisherman" is defined 
as an individual
who resides in this State or an Illinois 
corporation who uses any of the
commercial fishing devices as 
defined by this Code for the taking of aquatic
life, except 
mussels, protected by the terms of this Code.

    (f) (d) For purposes of this Section, an act or omission 
that constitutes
a violation committed by an officer, employee, 
or agent of a corporation
shall be deemed the act or omission 
of the corporation.

(Source: P.A. 98-336, eff. 1-1-14.)