St Rep. Lance Yednock has sponsored a bill to protect native fish species.
Senate Bill 1878 will enforce stricter guidelines concerning the protection of certain species of fish like bowfin and paddle fish.
The bill says if any person if found violating the Fish and Wildlife Code or administrative rule related to protected fish valued in excess of 300 dollars will receive a class three felony.
Yednock said “As a citizen of the Illinois Valley, I see how important native species are to our state parks like Starved Rock and Matthiessen.
St Sen. Sue Rezin and another St Sen. Brian Stewart also voted yes for the bill.