What is Hunting Works For Illinois?
Hunting Works For Illinois is a local, grassroots partnership of organizations focused on hunting, shooting and the economics derived from these activities. Members are advocates for public policy who support jobs and economic prosperity. As a grassroots organization, we explain the role that hunting and the shooting sports play in both the heritage and economic health of Illinois.
Who is sponsoring this effort?
This effort is being funded by concerned organizations such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
What’s in it for me as a partner?
As a partner of Hunting Works For Illinois you, will be connected with other businesses and organizations that understand hunting and the shooting sports are an important part of our economy. Our efforts will help educate policy makers, the media and the general public on the jobs and other positive economic aspects that hunting and shooting bring to Illinois.
What are my responsibilities as a partner?
As a partner you can be as active as you choose. Still, for this to be an effective partnership, we encourage you to become fully engaged. Opportunities for you to help include: listing your organization as a partner; sharing your logo for use on the Hunting Works For Illinois website and printed materials; attending Hunting Works For Illinois events such as organizational meetings or press conferences; signing and/or helping to find people to sign letters to the editor or editorials to local/regional newspapers; disseminating information to your membership; recruiting other groups or individuals; speaking at press events or attending editorial board meetings with regional newspapers.
Why do we need Hunting Works For Illinois now?
Politically motivated anti-hunting groups are growing. Many would like to limit, make more expensive and even ban hunting. Their actions are eroding our heritage and damaging state economies and local businesses that depend on hunters for their livelihoods. All this is occurring at a time when hunter numbers are declining, and, quite frankly, many of our rural communities and businesses will not survive if hunter numbers continue to erode.
Is it going to be “political?”
Hunting Works For Illinois is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization. Most people from Illinois are avid hunters and shooters regardless of political party identification.
What specifically is the organization going to be doing and involved in?
Hunting Works For Illinois partners have a story to tell about the important economic chain involving the hunting and shooting sports. Hunting specifically supports thousands of jobs, both rural and urban, across the state of Illinois, and our goal is to provide a unified voice for all of these stakeholders. The Hunting Works For Illinois partnership will monitor public policy decisions and weigh in on hunting-related issues that impact Illinois jobs. Hunting Works For Illinois will serve as a vehicle to facilitate important public policy dialogue and to tell the story of how our hunting heritage positively affects conservation and jobs throughout the state.
Is hunting really that big of deal in Illinois?
Hunters in Illinois do more for the wildlife of this state than any other group through their license fees and excise tax dollars received under the Pittman-Robertson Act. In addition to the wildlife benefits, 512,000 hunters spend over $1.3 billion dollars each year. This spending supports 18,000 Illinois jobs that pay $700 million in salaries and wages. The impact translates to $158 million in additional state and local tax revenue. These jobs, taxes and sales result in a $2.2 billion ripple effect on the state economy.
