A big change could be coming to circuses in Illinois.

The Traveling Animal Acts bill would ban circuses traveling through Illinois from featuring specific wild animals, including big cats like lions and tigers, bears, and primates.

Lawmakers say the effort is focused on animal welfare.

“We do recognize that these are species that have very particular needs that should be handled in a way that respects their biological needs for safety,” said State Representative Kelly Cassidy.

Simone Key, owner of the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus says the bill would have a major impact on their business. They perform with big cats in Illinois and was cited after the USDA confiscated an underweight tiger cub. She says traveling shows can be a good experience for the animals.

“I would like to also say I think a lot of these types of bans are introduced based on the assumption that animals on the road have bad lives. When acclimated and introduced properly, travel can be a wonderful stimulation for animals in human care. Our animals get to experience new sites and smells regularly.“

Meanwhile, other acts, like the Banana Derby, have been cited for forcing capuchin monkeys to ride on dogs, putting the animals in stressful and unsafe situations.

Dave Williams, a contracting agent for the circus, says the impact would go beyond the performers, affecting local communities as well.

“We are a fundraising circus, so every town that I visit there’s a local organization that brings us to town and they make money and sometimes that’s the only fundraiser that they host.”

Supporters of the bill say it builds on previous legislation. Illinois was the first state to ban elephants in traveling shows back in 2017.

“And really what it’s seeking to do is adding several species to the existing species prohibition that we passed way back in 2017, when we were the first state, when Illinois was the first state that banned the use of elephants and circuses and traveling shows,” said Marc Ayers, Illinois Director of Humane World for Animals.

Several states, including Hawaii, California, and Maryland, already ban wild animal performances.

Both the Illinois House and Senate are considering versions of the bill. If signed into law, it would go into effect July 1.

Violating the Traveling Animal Acts law could result in a Class A misdemeanor.