Illinois DNR Hosting Public Forums to Discuss CWD Management

January 10, 2024 By: Torin Miller

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host two public meetings in Lee and Bureau counties to provide information about the recent detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in those counties, its effect on free-ranging deer populations, and IDNR’s efforts to control the disease. IDNR staff biologists will be available to discuss current management strategies and answer questions about CWD.

The scheduled meetings are:

  • Lee County: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, Winifred Knox Memorial Library, 112 Elm St., Franklin Grove
  • Bureau County: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, Hennepin Canal State Trail office, 16006 875 East St., Sheffield

Meetings will include a 45- to 60-minute presentation followed by a discussion.

First documented in Illinois in 2002 near Roscoe, CWD has been detected in 20 counties across the northern edge and northeastern portions of Illinois, as far south as Kankakee and Livingston counties. For more information about the public meetings or about CWD in Illinois, contact Chris Jacques, wildlife disease program manager at chris.jacques@illinois.gov.

The National Deer Association (NDA) strongly encourages our Illinois members and supporters to attend at least one of the public meetings. NDA outlines deer diseases are a critical focus area and slowing the spread of CWD is of primary concern. To learn more about CWD, click here.

About Torin Miller:

Torin Miller is a licensed attorney and NDA’s Senior Director of Policy. He works at the intersection of conservation and natural resources law, policy, advocacy and education. He has bachelor's and master's degrees in wildlife and fisheries science from Penn State University and a J.D. from Penn State Law. Torin came to NDA via the National Deer Alliance, where he served as the Policy and Outreach Coordinator.