Kane County Reporter

Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Lake Barrington) has received a perfect score from the Illinois Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) for his votes on four animal cruelty bills this year. 

McLaughlin posted on Facebook the 2021 Illinois Humane scorecard showing the state representatives who voted in favor of the bills.

“Thank you to the Illinois Humane Society for the 100% perfect score on their 2021 Legislative Scorecard. Lily approves!,” McLaughlin wrote in his post, attached to a picture of him and his dog, Lily.

The HSLF issues scorecards for federal and state legislators each year that reflect how they voted on animal rights legislation. According to this year's scorecard, lawmakers were scored by the HSLF for their votes on four bills including the Humane Pet Store Act (HB 1711), Predatory Pet Sales Loans (HB 572), Mandatory Forfeiture (HB 168) and Wildlife Trafficking (HB 395). McLaughlin voted in favor of all four bills.

The bills prohibit the sale of commercially-raised dogs and cats in pet stores, prohibit sellers and breeders from charging high rates for pets and financing them through a third-party, prohibit individuals convicted of two offenses of animal abuse from owning a pet and expand protections for an increased number of endangered species.  

This comes as TuftsNow reports an estimated one million pets are abused or killed during episodes of domestic violence every year. Of the 118 Illinois representatives in the House, 73 voted in favor of all four bills.

According to the American Humane, the new anti-cruelty animal protection laws will take effect on Jan. 1  Under these laws, those who have abused animals through aggravated cruelty, using them for entertainment, or dogfighting can be banned from owning animals.