Frank Loftus/The HSUS

Illinois: Time to end the cruelty

On many egg factory farms—including those
in Illinois—hens are crammed into cages so small the birds can't spread their wings. Each bird is given less than the space of an iPad on which to live her entire life. She is forced to eat, sleep and defecate in the same limited space and is denied almost everything that is natural to her. These conditions are cruel to the animals and increase the spread of diseases, like salmonella, which then sicken people. Leading consumer advocacy organizations including the Center for Science in the Public Interest and Center for Food Safety have supported cage-free reforms.

Cost estimates for switching to cage-free production vary between less than one cent to a few pennies per egg. When Illinois-based McDonald’s pledged to go cage-free (which it completed at all its U.S. locations in 2024), the company stated it wouldn’t raise prices at all. More than 200 of the country’s largest food companies have committed to switching to a 100% cage-free egg supply. This includes Burger King, Unilever, General Mills, Aramark and Costco, along with Illinois-based Kraft Heinz, Conagra Brands and Hyatt.

Now is the time to say no to animal cruelty!

TAKE ACTION

Please take a moment to add your name to the petition below, which will be delivered to your legislators. Stand up for animals and pledge to do your part to help fight the cruel caging of egg-laying hens.

This action alert is for U.S. residents. International advocates, please visit Humane Society International.

ADD YOUR NAME

As an Illinois resident, I’m asking that you please support legislation that would prevent the cruel caging of egg-laying hens and give Illinois families more affordable access to safer eggs.

Hens in the egg industry are still confined in barren cages so small they can’t even flap their wings. These conditions are not only cruel for the birds, but cages have been associated with higher rates of salmonella, a disease that can be deadly, especially in young children and the elderly.

Illinoisans—including myself—overwhelmingly support a firm deadline requiring producers and sellers to end the cruelty! The time is now to give Illinoisans access to safer, affordable, more humane eggs. Please support measures to protect egg-laying hens and Illinois families.

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