State Regulations

For Health Requirement Information:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare
State Fairgrounds
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
(217) 782-4944

2026 Illinois Exhibition Health Requirements County Fairs

Peotone Animal Hospital

Dr. Laura Bellinghausen
Dr. Brenna Miniscalco
Dr. Clara Ollinger
Dr. Emma Nicholas

CERTIFICATES OF VETERINARY INSPECTION AND/OR TEST RECORDS MUST BE
AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT ANY TIME WHILE ANIMALS ARE ON THE FAIRGROUNDS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

These Exhibition Health Requirements apply to all livestock present on the State Fairgrounds, including livestock that are not entered in competitive events. Species specific information follows the general requirements.
Exhibitors are required to familiarize themselves with all rules applicable to their exhibits.
All out-of-state animals must have an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/Login.aspx.
All animals, except as noted in species specific information below, shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
All animals must be officially identified.
All livestock shall be subject to examination upon entry to the State Fairgrounds. Examination may include but is not limited to ultrasound, urine testing, blood testing, and similar actions.
Definitions, abbreviations, and administration:
- Illinois State Fairs includes the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, IL and the Du Quoin State Fair in Du Quoin, IL
- Illinois State Fairgrounds shall mean the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, IL and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, IL
- The Illinois Department of Agriculture may be referred to as “Department” or “IDOA”
- The Department contains a Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare, which receives all CVIs.
- The Department operates both State Fairs and owns both State Fairgrounds.
- Department or IDOA staff, as used in this document, includes all Bureaus and the Fairs
IDOA will continue to monitor state and federal trends in animal health as it relates to this document. Any updates to these requirements will be posted on our website.

CERTIFICATE OF VETERINARY INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) means a legible record, made on an official form from the state of origin, containing an accurate description or identification of the animal including age, sex, breed, health status, and vaccination information.
The CVI must be signed, dated, and issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian in that state.
Submitted CVIs must be as originally issued by the veterinarian; no CVIs with alterations, edits, or changes, will be accepted. The CVI must show that the animal meets all health requirements for the State of Illinois (species specific information noted later in this guidance)
CVI must show the name and address of the animal’s owner or exhibitor.
CVI must include the animal’s Animal Identification Number.
- Animal identification number (AIN): A numbering system for the official identification of individual animals in the United States that provides a nationally unique identification number for each animal. The AIN consists of 15 digits, with the first 3 being the country code (840 for the United States or a unique country code for any U.S. territory that has such a code and elects to use it in place of the 840 code).
If one CVI is used for multiple animals, each animal identification must be made on a separate line.
Exhibitors are strongly encouraged to obtain electronic CVIs whenever possible; IDOA is moving toward only accepting electronic CVIs.
Exhibitors shall make CVIs available to Department of Agriculture and State Fair staff on request.
- If an official electronic CVI is utilized, the exhibitor should be able to log on and show Bureauof Animal Health Personnel the completed CVI.
- If a paper copy CVI is issued by the attending veterinarian, the copy for the Illinois State Fair in Springfield must be submitted via email to the Competitive Events Department at [email protected] at time of entry.
If animals are from tuberculosis accredited, brucellosis certified, pseudorabies qualified, or brucellosis validated herds, the identifying herd number(s) along with the date of the last herd test(s) shall appear on the CVI.
CVIs for out-of-state livestock shall be void thirty (30) days after issuance.
CVIs for Illinois-origin livestock shall be void ninety (90) days after issuance.

QUARATINE AND REMOVAL

Quarantine shall be at the animal owner (or exhibitor) risk and expense.
Quarantine and removal from the Fairgrounds shall be as determined appropriate by the Stat Veterinarian or their designee(s).
Quarantine will be required until the animal has been properly treated and recovered, or the animal can be released to return to the owner’s premise, both in the opinion of the State Veterinarian or their designee(s).
Any animal presenting with a condition that would subject it to quarantine must be withdrawn fro any/all entered competitions and are not permitted to exhibit.
Any condition meriting quarantine may also result in required removal of the animal from the Fairgrounds, as determined appropriate by the State Veterinarian.
Conditions subject to quarantine (not an exhaustive list)
- Any animal showing evidence of infectious, contagious or communicable diseases shall be held in quarantine.
- Any livestock infected with scabies, mange, active lesions of ringworm, soremouth, or multiple warts which are easily visible without close examination
- Sheep and goats with caseous lymphadenitis as evidenced by draining abscesses
- Suspicion of or diagnosis of a foreign animal disease, emerging animal disease, or other actionable disease, animals may be subject to quarantine on the fairgrounds until such time that it is determined that the disease is no longer a threat.
Any Illinois cattle, bison, cervidae or goats being exhibited in non-accredited free states must be isolated from the remainder of the herd/flock upon return to Illinois and retested for tuberculosis 60-120 days post-entry back into the state.

SPECIES SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

The information included below for any species is in addition to the requirements noted above. There are no additional species-specific information or requirements for llamas, pigeons, or rabbits.

CATTLE

Identification: Individual identification of each animal shall be by a USDA official animal identification
number ear tag, (“840” tag). The identification tag must be able to be read both visually and electronically.

Illinois Cattle:
 Illinois is a Bovine Brucellosis Class-Free State and an Accredited Tuberculosis-Free State. Brucellosis
and Tuberculin testing are not required for Illinois cattle.
 Illinois calves under 6 months of age are not required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

Out-of-State-Cattle:
 Brucellosis
Female cattle six (6) months of age and older and bulls eighteen (18) months of age and older shall
2 be negative to an official test for brucellosis within thirty (30) days prior to entry onto the
Fairgrounds, unless exempt by one (1) of the following:
A. Originate directly from a certified brucellosis-free herd.
B. Official vaccinates of dairy breeds under twenty (20) months of age or official vaccinates of beef
breeds under twenty-four (24) months of age.
C. Animal originated from a “Class Free” state (if entire state is so classified).
D. Animal is a steer or spayed heifer.

The negative brucellosis test shall be conducted at a state or federal laboratory within 30 days prior
to entry onto the Fairgrounds.

 Tuberculosis

Accredited Tuberculosis Free States
A. No tuberculin test required.

Non-Accredited Tuberculosis Free Areas or States (Not TB Free)
A. Cattle must originate from a herd where a complete herd test was conducted within the past year.
B. The individual animals entering Illinois must be negative to an additional tuberculin test
conducted within 30 days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds.

SWINE

Illinois Swine

Identification
Individual identification of each animal shall be by a USDA official animal identification number ear
tag, (“840” tag). The identification tag must be able to be read both visually and electronically.
Brucellosis
Brucellosis testing is not required for Illinois swine.
Pseudorabies
Pseudorabies testing is not required for Illinois swine.
Out-of-State Swine
All out-of-state swine are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are available
online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/Login.aspx.
Identification
Individual identification of each animal shall be by a USDA official animal identification number ear
tag, (“840” tag). The identification tag must be able to be read both visually and electronically.
Brucellosis
1. Breeding swine 4 months of age and older shall be negative to an official test for brucellosis
within 30 days prior to exhibition unless exempt by one (1) of the following:
A. Originate immediately and directly from a validated brucellosis-free herd.
B. Originate directly from a validated brucellosis-free state.
2. Swine brucellosis tests for exhibition shall be conducted at a state or federal laboratory.

Pseudorabies
1. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage IV or V state are exempt from the pseudorabies
testing requirement.
2. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage III state shall be negative to an official test for
pseudorabies conducted within thirty (30) days prior to entry or originate immediately and
directly from a qualified pseudorabies negative herd.
3. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage I or II state shall be negative to an official test
for pseudorabies conducted within the 10 days prior to entry.
4. Barrows and females in market classes must meet the same requirements as breeding swine.

SHEEP

Identification
Individual identification of each animal shall be by an ear tattoo or official metal or plastic tag.
A microchip ID is acceptable if the owner provides the reader.
Ear tattoos may be used when a registration certificate, listing the tattoo number, accompanies the animal.
When using ear tags, the tag must indicate the premises ID and state of origin. The tag number must be assigned by a state or APHIS representative and recorded in the Scrapie Record Database.

Market Lambs
All market lambs must be slick shorn (show ring ready) before weigh-in so that show lamb
fungus can be identified.

Illinois Sheep
1. Sheep originating from a flock that has previously been classified as either an infected or source flock can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd flock plan.
2. The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

Out-of-State Sheep
All out-of-state sheep are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx
1. Sheep originating from a flock that has previously been classified as either an infected or source flock can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd flock plan.
2. The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

GOATS

Identification
Individual identification of each animal shall be by an ear tattoo or official metal or plastic tag. A microchip ID is acceptable if the owner provides the reader.
Tattoos may be used when a registration certificate, listing the tattoo number, accompanies the animal.
When using ear tags, the tag must indicate the premises ID and state of origin. The tag number must be assigned by a state or APHIS representative and recorded in the Scrapie Record Database.
Ears should be used for tattooing when possible. If there is no space in the ear, the flank or tail fold may be used.

Illinois Goats

Goats originating from a herd that has previously been classified as either an infected or source herd or can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd plan.
The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

Out-of-State Goats
All out-of-state goats are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

Goats originating from a herd that has previously been classified as either an infected or source herd can be exhibited in Illinois upon the completion of an approved herd plan.
Tuberculosis- Goats from areas or states that are not Accredited Bovine Tuberculosis Free, must be accompanied by a CVI indicating that the goats originated from a herd where a complete negative herd test has been conducted within the past twelve (12) months and the individual animals are negative to a tuberculin test conducted within thirty (30) days prior to entry. The CVI must Include the flock of birth and flock of origin if different.

HORSES, PONIES, MULES AND OTHER EQUIDAE

Illinois Equine

All horses and other equidae, twelve (12) months of age and older attending an advertised equine event, shall be accompanied by a negative test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) conducted within the last twelve (12) months. A copy of this test shall accompany the animal.
AGID (Coggins) or ELISA tests are accepted.
An advertised equine event means a show, rodeo, sale, auction, exhibition, trail ride, or horse fair that is posted or media promoted.
A CVI is not required for Illinois equine.

Out-of-State Equine
All out-of-state equine are to be accompanied by an entry permit. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

All horses and other equidae entering Illinois that are twelve (12) months of age or older, shall be accompanied by a negative test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) conducted within the last twelve (12) months. A copy of this test shall accompany the animal.
AGID (Coggins) or ELISA tests are accepted.
All horses and other equidae shall be accompanied by a CVI issued within thirty (30) days prior to entry.

POULTRY

All entries (except waterfowl, i.e. domesticated fowl that normally swim, such as ducks and geese) in a show or exhibition shall have originated from a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean or equivalent hatchery or flock OR have a negative pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days prior to exhibition. Exhibitor shall show proper information as to name and address of owner or exhibitor, name and address of the authorized testing agent, date of the testing and the number, breed, and species of those tested.
Prior to being used to transport poultry to a show, all crates, boxes, containers and vehicles shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Any poultry vaccinations must be performed at least 4 weeks prior to delivery to the show.
Upon admission to a show, all entries shall be examined by the official county fair veterinarian or qualified state personnel who shall also receive and examine all certificates necessary for admission of birds to a show. Birds not in show condition will be excused from exhibition and removed from the premises. Any fowl showing signs of illness during the fair will be removed from the exhibition grounds.
All out-of-state turkeys must originate from flocks that are officially classified as U.S. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Clean in accordance with the provisions of the National Poultry Improvement Plan or be negative to a test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum within 30 days prior to entry.
A permit is required for out-of-state poultry. Entry permit numbers are available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx

CERVIDAE

(Deer, Elk, Reindeer, Caribou, Moose, Red Deer and other related species)

Identification
All animals shall be individually identified with an approved tag, microchip or tattoo. Elk are required to have two official/approved unique identifiers.

Illinois Cervidae
Chronic Wasting Disease

For cervidae changing ownership or moving within the State, the owner must obtain a permit issued by the Department prior to movement and the cervid must originate from a herd that is enrolled in the Certified Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Program or the Contained Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease Program. The permit shall be obtained no more than 72 hours in advance of the movement of the cervids by providing the following information:
A) Name and complete mailing address of person exhibiting the cervids;
B) Certified Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease or Contained Monitored Chronic Wasting Disease Herd number;
C) Name and complete mailing address of location where the animals will be exhibited;
D) Number of animals and unique identification of the animals.

Tuberculosis
Illinois is an Accredited Tuberculosis- Free State. Tuberculin test is not required for Illinois cervidae.

Out-of-State Cervidae
Chronic Wasting Disease

All cervidae entering Illinois must be in compliance with the Illinois Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5]. For more information, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at 217/782-6384.
All cervidae entering Illinois must be accompanied by a permit from the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that:
a. has been issued by an accredited veterinarian of the state of origin or a veterinarian in the employ of the United States Department of Agriculture;
b. is approved by the Animal Health Official of the state of origin;
c. shows that the cervidae are free from visible evidence of any contagious, infectious or communicable disease or exposure thereto, do not originate from a CWD endemic area (any county and surrounding counties where CWD has been diagnosed in the past five years);
d. shows that the cervidae are not originating from a herd under quarantine for any contagious, infectious or communicable disease;
e. shows that the animals originate from a herd that has been monitored for at least 5 years under a state-approved CWD certification program.
A permit number can be obtained by applying online at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Animals/AnimalHealth/Documents/permiterequestform.pdf
a. Name and post office mailing address of Illinois destination.
b. Name and post office mailing address of the consignor and/or source herds;
c. Name and post office mailing address of the herd veterinarian;
d. Number and unique identification of cervidae in shipment.

Brucellosis
Cervidae six (6) months of age and older must have a negative brucellosis card or PCFIA test within sixty (60) days prior to entry.

Tuberculosis

Accredited Tuberculosis Free States
All cervidae twelve (12) months of age and over shall be negative to two (2) single cervical test for bovine TB no less than ninety (90) days apart with the second test conducted within ninety (90) days prior to entry. These animals shall be isolated from all other members of the herd during the testing period unless they originate from an accredited, qualified or monitored herd.
A. Cervidae from an accredited herd may be moved into Illinois without further TB testing provided that a certificate stating that such cervids originated from an accredited herd accompanies them.
B. Cervidae originating from qualified or monitored herds may enter with a negative test within ninety (90) days prior to entry and a certificate stating that the animals originate from a monitored herd.
Non-Accredited Tuberculosis Free Areas or States (Not TB Free)
A. All cervidae shall originate from a herd where a complete herd test was conducted within the past year.
B. The individual animals entering Illinois must be negative to two (2) additional tuberculin tests conducted within 180 and 30 days prior to entry or exhibition.

RATITES*

(Ostriches, Emus, Rheas, Cassowaries and Kiwis)

Illinois Ratites
There are no requirements governing the movement of ratites within Illinois.

Out-of-State Ratites

Must be accompanied by a CVI and permit number. Entry permit numbers are available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx
Individually identified by leg band or microchip.
Negative test for Avian Influenza within 10 days prior to entry.

PIGEONS

There are no requirements governing the movements of pigeons within or into Illinois.

RABBITS

There are no requirements governing the movements of rabbits within or into Illinois.

LLAMAS

There are no requirements governing the movement of llamas within Illinois. A permit and health certificate is required for out-of-state llamas. Entry permit numbers are
available online at https://entrypermit.agr.illinois.gov/login.aspx