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

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 FAIRGROUNDS

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
2026 Exhibition Livestock Health Requirements for the Illinois State Fairs
Revised 04/29/2026

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: Brucellosis and Pseudorabies testing are not required for Illinois swine.

Out-of-State Swine:
Brucellosis
Breeding swine 4 months of age and older shall be negative to an official test for brucellosis within
30 days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds 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.
Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage IV or V state are exempt from the pseudorabies testing
requirement.

Pseudorabies
A. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage IV or V state are exempt from the pseudorabies testing
requirement.
B. 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 onto the Fairgrounds or originate
immediately and directly from a qualified pseudorabies negative herd.
C. Swine originating from a Pseudorabies Stage I or II state shall be negative to an official test for
pseudorabies conducted within 10 days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds.
D. 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. If the tattoos are not visible, another form of official identification must be presented.
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.

Scrapie: 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 flock plan.

CVI must include the flock of birth and the 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. If the tattoos are not visible, another form of official identification must be presented.
Ears should be used for tattooing when possible. If there is no space in the ear, the flank or tail
fold may be used.
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.

Scrapie: 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.

CVI must include the herd of birth and the herd of origin, if different.

Out-of-State Goats:
Goats from states that are not Accredited Bovine Tuberculosis Free, must also have the following information included on their CVI:
(1) that the goats originated from a herd where a complete negative herd test has been conducted within
the past twelve (12) months and
(2) the individual animals are negative to a tuberculin test conducted within thirty (30) days prior to
entry onto the Fairgrounds.

HORSES, PONIES, MULES AND OTHER EQUIDAE

Equine Infectious Anemia:
All horses and other equidae, twelve (12) months of age and older entering the Fairgrounds, 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.

Illinois Equine: A CVI is not required for Illinois equine.

Out-of-State Equine: All horses and other equidae shall be accompanied by a CVI issued within thirty (30)
days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds.

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 State Veterinarian or their designee 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 removed from exhibition and must be removed from
the Fairgrounds.

Any fowl showing signs of illness during the Fair will be removed from the Fairgrounds.

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.

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 (CWD): For cervidae moving within the State, the owner must obtain a
permit issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture prior to movement. 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: 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.
Be accompanied by a permit from the Illinois Department of Agriculture
Have a CVI that:
A. 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);
B. shows that the cervidae are not originating from a herd under quarantine for any contagious,
infectious or communicable disease;
C. shows that the animals originate from a herd that has been monitored for at least 5 years under a
state-approved CWD certification program.

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 onto the Fairgrounds.

Tuberculosis
Accredited Tuberculosis Free States: All cervidae twelve (12) months of age and over shall be
negative to two (2) tests for bovine TB no less than ninety (90) days apart with the second test
conducted within ninety (90) days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds. 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.

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.
Cervidae originating from qualified or monitored herds may enter with a negative test
within ninety (90) days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds and a certificate stating that
the animals originate from a monitored herd.

Non-Accredited Tuberculosis Free Areas or States (Not TB Free)

All cervidae shall originate from a herd where a complete herd test was conducted within
the past year.
The individual animals entering Illinois must be negative to two (2) additional TB tests
conducted within 180 and 30 days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds.

RATITES: Ostriches, Emus, Rheas, Cassowaries and Kiwis

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

Out-of-State Ratites:

Individually identified by leg band or microchip.
Negative test for Avian Influenza within 10 days prior to entry onto the Fairgrounds.

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

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.

For clarification or additional information on health requirements, contact:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare
Phone (217) 782-4944
Or visit our webpage: https://agr.illinois.gov/animals/animalhealth.html