Hunting for America comes to Illinois

(Springfield, IL) Today, a new organization has joined the many others trying to effect change within the Capitol Building.  Hunting Works for America has come to Illinois creating a new grassroots organization, Hunting Works for Illinois.

Hunting Works for Illinois Mission

'Hunting Works For Illinois exists to promote the strong economic partnership between the hunting and shooting communities and the local economy of the state of Illinois.'

In December of 2016, President Obama signed the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act into law.

'This new piece of legislation requires the Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, to assess and analyze the contributions of the outdoor recreation industry, including recreational fishing, to the United States economy. The legislation will help to ensure that sportfishing industry jobs and recreational fishing’s economic impact are accounted for as part of the gross domestic product (GDP).' 

Not only does hunting play a major part in the economy of the United States, Illinois hunters and anglers have been a major contributor to all communities across the state.  It is good to see the business community finally acknowledging something that hunters and anglers have been saying for years.

Hunting Works For Illinois is co-chaired by Mark Denzler, COO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association; Peter Skosey, director of state government affairs with BNSF Railway; Bill Fleishli, senior executive vice president of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association; Brittany Henry, executive director of the Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.  This organization was launched during a press conference  at the State Capitol.

While we commend this group for playing a role in policy discussions in the Capitol and keeping hunting in the forefront, one has to remember that the leadership is made up of business organizations who are looking towards hunters as an avenue to revitalize the economy.

When discussions start happening between lawmakers, chamber of commerce groups, business leaders and other organizations, they will be looking at the economic impact of hunting.   But will they also be looking out for you and your hunting rights?

If the economy of Illinois grows on the backs of hunters, will our rights and opportunities continue to grow as well?  Only time will tell.