Skokie, IL Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 70-152, Killing or injuring birds
- Protected birds
- quail, pheasant, robin, blue jay & other song/game birds
- Prohibited methods
- firearms, slingshot, bow/arrow, stones, or otherwise
- Egg/nest protection
- taking eggs or young also barred
- Standard fine
- up to $750.00 per day (Sec. 1-6)
Summary
Village Code Sec. 70-152 makes it unlawful to kill, wound or attempt to kill or wound most wild birds within Skokie, whether by firearm, slingshot, bow and arrow, stones or otherwise, and separately bars taking their eggs or young from private or Village-owned ground.
It shall be unlawful for any person to kill or wound, or attempt to kill or wound, by the use of firearms, slingshot, bow and arrow, pelting with stones or otherwise, any quail, pheasant, robin, blue jay, or any other song, plumage or game bird within any private ground or upon any public park, square, street or grounds, or for any person to take the eggs or young or any quail, pheasant, robin, blue jay or other song, plumage or game bird within any private enclosure or upon any public ground belonging to the Village.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 205 | Zoning: Supplement 89).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 06), prohibits killing or wounding, or attempting to kill or wound, 'any quail, pheasant, robin, blue jay, or any other song, plumage or game bird' anywhere within a private enclosure or upon any public park, square, street or ground in the Village. The prohibited methods are listed specifically: firearms, slingshots, bow and arrow, pelting with stones, 'or otherwise,' meaning the ban covers any method of killing or injuring, not just the ones named. A second clause bars taking the eggs or young of the same protected birds, whether the nest sits on private property enclosed for that purpose or on public ground belonging to the Village.
The section cross-references Chapter 18, the Village's general animals chapter, which separately governs pet keeping, animal cruelty and licensing. Sec. 70-152 sits in Article V, Division 1, 'Offenses Affecting Public Safety, Generally,' alongside related public-safety provisions such as the ban on throwing dangerous missiles (Sec. 70-151) and rules on abandoned refrigerators (Sec. 70-153).
Violations & Fines
Sec. 70-152 carries no separate fine schedule, so the Code's standard penalty under Sec. 1-6 applies: up to $750.00 for each day the offense continues to be treated as ongoing, plus the possibility of a court-ordered restitution payment to cover any property or wildlife loss connected to the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot pest birds with a pellet gun in my Skokie backyard?
Is it illegal to take a bird's nest or eggs in Skokie?
Does the Skokie bird protection law cover pigeons or geese?
What happens if someone is cited for killing a protected bird in Skokie?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Skokie
Compare Skokie to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle bird protection.