Chicago Animal Care and Control responds to aggressive urban coyotes inside city limits using non-lethal hazing first, with lethal removal only for confirmed public-safety threats. Cook County Forest Preserve District and IDNR oversee coyotes on preserve land and statewide under 520 ILCS 5.
CACC's coyote policy follows the Cook County Coyote Project research model: report sightings to 311, but routine sightings get no field response because coyotes are protected wildlife under Illinois Wildlife Code 520 ILCS 5/2.2. Field response triggers only for documented attacks on people or repeated unprovoked aggression toward leashed pets, with Illinois Department of Natural Resources coordination required before lethal control. Residents must not feed coyotes (MCC 7-12-080 nuisance, plus IDNR rules), must keep small pets leashed under MCC 7-12-030, and must secure trash and pet food. On Cook County Forest Preserve District land, FPDCC police handle coyote calls and host hazing-education programs. Trapping requires an IDNR Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator permit.
Feeding coyotes is a nuisance under MCC 7-12-080 with fines up to $200, and may violate 520 ILCS 5/2.33. Unlicensed trapping is a Class B misdemeanor under Illinois Wildlife Code carrying up to six months jail.
Chicago, IL
Chicago restricts ownership of exotic and dangerous animals under MCC Chapter 7-12 (Animal Care and Control). Dangerous animals require a $100 annual license...
Chicago, IL
Chicago discourages wildlife feeding through Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) guidelines and general nuisance provisions in MCC 7-28. Feeding wildlife ...
Chicago, IL
Chicago Municipal Code Section 7-12-030 requires all dogs to be leashed and under control when off the owner's property. Dogs must also be leashed on unfence...
See how Chicago's coyote management rules stack up against other locations.
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