CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/48-7

Sec. 48-7. Feeding garbage to animals.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/48-7
Offense Description
Feeding garbage to animals
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/48-7 (Feeding garbage to animals) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Release on Notice (No Mandate)

Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Feeding garbage to animals Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/48-7 -> Class A Misdemeanor Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 48-7. Feeding garbage to animals.

(a)

(a) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Department" means the Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois.

"Garbage" has the same meaning as in the federal Swine Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 3802) and also includes putrescible vegetable waste. "Garbage" does not include the contents of the bovine digestive tract.

"Person" means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or other legal entity, any public or private institution, the State, or any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State.

(b)

(b) A person commits feeding garbage to animals when he or she feeds or permits the feeding of garbage to swine or any animals or poultry on any farm or any other premises where swine are kept.

(c)

(c) Establishments licensed under the Animal Mortality Act or under similar laws in other states are exempt from the provisions of this Section.

(d)

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to apply to any person who feeds garbage produced in his or her own household to animals or poultry kept on the premises where he or she resides except this garbage if fed to swine shall not contain particles of meat.

(e)

(e) Sentence. Feeding garbage to animals is a Class B misdemeanor, and for the first offense shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 and for a second or subsequent offense shall be fined not less than $200 nor more than $500 or imprisoned in a penal institution other than the penitentiary for not more than 6 months, or both.

(f)

(f) A person violating this Section may be enjoined by the Department from continuing the violation.

(g)

(g) The Department may make reasonable inspections necessary for the enforcement of this Section, and is authorized to enforce, and administer the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-216, eff. 1-1-22.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/48-7 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/48-7 (Feeding garbage to animals) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 720 ILCS 5/48-7 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Is an individual accused of 720 ILCS 5/48-7 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 720 ILCS 5/48-7?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 720 ILCS 5/48-7 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/48-7 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-48-7
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes