Waukegan committee debates allowing hens in backyards; no ordinance introduced

The Waukegan Judiciary Committee opened a discussion on Aug. 18 about a potential ordinance to allow residents to keep hens in their backyards but did not vote on or introduce any ordinance.

The committee meeting, called to order at approximately 6:31 p.m., centered on questions of enforcement, disease risk and practical limits on animals kept at residential properties. Alderman Guzman said he was “split on this,” citing emails and videos showing escaped birds and asking, “what happens when these things get loose?” and whether birds could spread avian influenza to people or other animals.

Alderman Felix questioned whether residents keeping hens for eggs would need roosters, asking, “Is this to have them as pets or to do whatever you want with them in terms of, like, get, you know, eggs and whatnot and consumption?” Legal counsel responded that other municipalities that moved forward generally set rules on coop size, yard size and the number of birds eligible under their regulations.

Alderman Turner characterized the item as recurring over many years and said he would circulate the City of Chicagoordinance for committee members to review: “What I will do is send everyone a link to it. You can read it at your leisure.” Turner noted Chicagoallows hens and that other communities in Lake County have taken differing approaches.

Alderman Florian gave a short biology clarification and expressed enforcement concerns. Florian said, “A rooster is not needed for a chicken to lay eggs,” and warned that poorly kept birds can smell and “attract other vermin.” Florian added that animal control had told the committee it did not have capacity to house sick birds and that it was “not in favor of us doing this.”

Alderman Newsom raised enforcement challenges and cited past problems, including illegal fighting and the difficulty of distinguishing roosters from hens until a certain age. Newsom said allowing hens could create more neighborhood disputes and enforcement burdens given existing ordinance enforcement issues.

Committee discussion also touched on quarantine and housing for seized or sick birds and whether animal control would need additional resources. No formal motion was introduced to draft or approve an ordinance; after discussion Chair Hayes called for adjournment and the committee ended the meeting.

The committee approved routine minutes from a prior special judiciary meeting and later voted to adjourn; those procedural votes were recorded during the session but did not change city policy on urban poultry.

Next steps identified by members included circulating sample ordinances from other jurisdictions for further consideration; Alderman Turner said he would share the Chicago ordinance link with committee members.

The discussion occurred during a 15-minute committee session that focused primarily on the feasibility and enforcement implications of permitting hens in residential yards.