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Residents and animal advocates urge DeKalb County to stop steer‑tailing events, call for permit denials
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Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the DeKalb County Board to deny permits for steer‑tailing and similar rodeo events, citing alleged animal abuse documented in local investigations and calling for either ordinance action or stricter enforcement of the Illinois Humane Care of Animals Act.
Public commenters pressed the DeKalb County Board on alleged animal cruelty at rodeo‑style events known as steer‑tailing, urging the county to deny permits and consider an ordinance to prohibit the practice.
The most direct appeals came during the public comment period, where a local wildlife‑center representative described decades of animal rescues and urged the board to “stand up for animals and choose kindness,” saying the Illinois Humane Care of Animals Act already bans cruel treatment. Investigator Mike Halisca said his team documented repeated violent handling — including alleged use of electric prods and broken limbs — at events they filmed in DeKalb County and elsewhere. “We filmed a worker fighting a steer’s tail repeatedly while the steer jumped in pain,” he said, and urged the board to introduce an ordinance to ban such events.
Other speakers cited legal and enforcement concerns. A speaker who identified herself as Jody Whitaker said she and others received an email from the county state’s attorney’s office indicating a prior investigation was closed and no further action would be taken; Whitaker said the state's attorney had signaled opposition to issuing future permits for events involving animals but that ultimate permit decisions rest with county staff. Mark Stelford argued that cultural traditions do not override enforcement of state animal‑welfare laws and urged officials to enforce existing statutes or pursue legislative change through proper channels. Holly Erdman warned that issuing permits implicitly legitimizes a high‑risk activity and raises potential county liability if injuries or viral footage cause harm to participants or the county’s reputation.
Speakers referenced the Illinois Humane Care of Animals Act as the existing statutory framework they say makes such conduct illegal and asked the board either to deny future permits for events involving animals or to draft county ordinance language to prohibit steer‑tailing specifically. Several commenters offered to help draft ordinance language.
The board did not take immediate legislative action during the meeting; the chair closed the public‑comment period and moved on to committee reports and resolutions. The transcript indicates multiple requests that county staff and elected officials consider the videotaped evidence and the possibility of using permit denial to prevent future events.
