If you own or plan to adopt an American Bully in Illinois, the legal picture is more layered than a simple yes-or-no answer. Illinois does not ban any breed at the state level, but local ordinances in dozens of municipalities can still restrict or prohibit bully-type dogs — and the rules vary dramatically from one city to the next.
Understanding where your dog stands under Illinois law means looking at three separate layers: the state Animal Control Act, the home rule powers that let cities set their own rules, and the behavior-based “dangerous dog” system that applies everywhere. This guide walks you through each layer so you can protect yourself and your dog.
Is the American Bully Recognized as a Separate Breed Under Illinois Law?
The American Bully (Canis lupus familiaris) is a purpose-bred companion dog developed in the United States during the 1990s, created by crossing the American Pit Bull Terrier with American Staffordshire Terriers, Bulldogs, and other breeds. Despite being recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) as a distinct breed, Illinois state law does not recognize it as a separate category for regulatory purposes.
Illinois statutes and most local ordinances use broad, physical-description-based definitions when targeting bully-type dogs. Breed-specific legislation in Illinois typically targets the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any mixed breed sharing those physical characteristics. Because the American Bully shares a muscular build, broad head, and ancestral lineage with those breeds, animal control officers and local ordinances routinely group it alongside them.
In practical terms, this means your American Bully will not get a pass simply because its registration papers say “American Bully.” If a local ordinance targets “pit bull-type dogs” based on appearance, your dog can be subject to those rules regardless of what breed name appears on its paperwork. You should always check how your specific municipality defines a restricted breed, since definitions differ from one city to the next. To understand more about the American Bully’s genetic makeup and how it differs from the pit bull, see what breeds make an American Bully.
Does Illinois Have Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)?
At the state level, Illinois actively discourages breed-specific legislation. Illinois’ Animal Control Act requires that “vicious dogs shall not be classified in a manner that is specific to breed.” That language is a meaningful protection — it means the state’s own dangerous dog system cannot single out a breed by name.
However, that protection is not absolute. Breeds are still banned in some Illinois towns and cities because of a home rule provision in the Illinois constitution that gives some municipalities the power to override state laws, meaning the state’s anti-BSL stance is not absolute.
Illinois is considered an untested home rule state when it comes to breed-specific preemption, meaning the legal boundary between state anti-BSL language and local home rule authority has not been definitively resolved by the courts. As a result, some municipalities continue to enforce breed-specific ordinances while others have moved away from them.
Key Insight: Illinois state law discourages breed-specific classification of dangerous dogs, but home rule cities retain the practical ability to pass and enforce their own bully breed restrictions. Always verify the rules in your specific municipality before moving or adopting.
For a broader comparison of how Illinois’s approach stacks up against other states, you can review American Bully laws in Texas, American Bully laws in Michigan, and American Bully laws in California.
Local and County-Level Bully Breed Restrictions in Illinois
Even though Illinois discourages BSL at the state level, a number of cities and villages enforce their own breed-specific rules. Cities and towns with existing breed-specific bans or restrictions include Addison, Buffalo Grove, Golf, Lincolnwood, North Chicago, Markham, and Maywood in the Chicago area. This list is not exhaustive, and ordinances change — always verify with your local municipality directly.
The type and severity of local restrictions vary widely across these communities:
- Barry, Illinois: The local city ordinance completely bans pit bulls within the city limits. The ordinance defines a “pit bull dog” as any bull terrier breed, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, and any dog mixed with those breeds. A person found possessing a pit bull within city limits can be fined up to $750.00.
- Buffalo Grove: The Village of Buffalo Grove restricts pit bulls and rottweilers under its local ordinance. Owners must install a “special enclosure” and keep the dog in that enclosure at all times the dog is not inside the owner’s residence.
- Prospect Heights: Even though Prospect Heights has not banned pit bulls outright, the local city ordinance defines pit bulls as dangerous dogs, which triggers a set of confinement and signage requirements automatically based on breed alone.
- Chicago: The city of Chicago repealed its pit bull ban in 2016, making it one of the larger Illinois cities to move away from breed-specific restrictions entirely.
Some village-level ordinances also require warning signs posted at the property. Such signs must state “Beware of Dog,” “Pit Bull Dog,” or “Dangerous Dog” and must be displayed in a conspicuous manner with lettering at least 2 inches in height, posted on the fence enclosing the yard or at entrance doors to the building where the dog resides.
Because ordinances change frequently, the BSL Census Illinois page and DogsBite.org’s Illinois BSL list are useful starting points for researching your specific city — but always confirm current rules directly with your local animal control office. You may also want to review related Illinois animal laws such as barking dog laws in Illinois and dog bite laws in Illinois.
Insurance, Housing, and Landlord Restrictions on Bully Breeds in Illinois
Even where no local ordinance restricts your American Bully, private businesses and landlords can impose their own rules — and these are often harder to navigate than government regulations.
Homeowners and Renters Insurance: Many insurance companies maintain internal breed exclusion lists that include pit bull-type dogs and American Bullies. Pit bull owners should be aware that some homeowners’ insurance policies either exclude coverage for bully breeds entirely or charge significantly higher premiums. Before purchasing a policy, ask your insurer directly whether your dog’s breed triggers any exclusion, and get the answer in writing. Some insurers have moved toward behavior-based underwriting rather than breed-based exclusions, so shopping around is worthwhile.
Rental Housing: Landlords in Illinois are generally permitted to set their own pet policies, including breed restrictions. This means a landlord can legally refuse to rent to you or require you to remove your dog if the lease prohibits bully breeds — even in a city where no municipal ordinance applies. Always review pet addenda carefully before signing a lease, and disclose your dog’s breed upfront to avoid lease violations later.
Fair Housing Act and Emotional Support Animals: If your American Bully is registered as an emotional support animal (ESA), federal Fair Housing Act protections may apply, but breed restrictions in housing for ESAs remain a contested area. Landlords can still deny an ESA request if the specific animal poses a direct threat, and some apply breed-based denial policies. For a detailed look at how ESA protections work in Illinois, see emotional support animal laws in Illinois.
Pro Tip: Before signing a lease or renewing a homeowners insurance policy, ask specifically whether “American Bully,” “pit bull-type,” or “bully breed” dogs are excluded. Vague pet policies that say “no aggressive breeds” can be interpreted to include your dog even if it has never shown aggression.
“Dangerous Dog” Classification and What It Means in Illinois
Separate from breed-specific ordinances, Illinois operates a behavior-based classification system under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/). This system applies statewide and does not target any breed by name. Illinois law treats dangerous and vicious dogs differently, with distinct owner duties and penalties for each classification. Illinois classifies problem dogs into two separate categories under the Animal Control Act: “dangerous” and “vicious.”
Dangerous Dog: Under Illinois law, a dangerous dog is defined as a dog that behaves in a way that would cause a reasonable person to believe it poses an imminent threat of serious injury or death when it is not properly restrained. This may include situations where the dog is unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended in a public place and acts aggressively toward people or other animals. The statute also includes dogs that bite a person without justification but do not cause serious physical injury.
Vicious Dog: When a dog’s actions go beyond threatening behavior and result in serious injury, the animal may be classified as a vicious dog. Illinois law defines a vicious dog as one that attacks a person without justification and causes serious injury or death, or a dog that has previously been declared dangerous on three separate occasions.
A dangerous dog designation is an administrative finding that can be handled without going to court, while a vicious dog determination requires a formal court proceeding and subjects the owner to strict confinement rules and potential felony liability. Specifically, if a dog is found to be a vicious dog, the owner must pay a $100 public safety fine, the dog must be spayed or neutered within 10 days at the owner’s expense, microchipped if not already, and the dog is subject to enclosure.
The criminal stakes are serious. If the owner of a vicious dog fails to maintain the dog in an enclosure or fails to spay or neuter it within the prescribed time period, and the dog then inflicts serious physical injury on or causes the death of another person in an unprovoked attack, the owner can be guilty of a Class 3 felony — or a Class 2 felony if the owner knowingly allowed the dog to run at large. These consequences apply to any breed, including American Bullies.
Critically, vicious dogs shall not be classified in a manner that is specific as to breed under state law — meaning the classification is based on what your dog did, not what it looks like. You can read more about how these rules interact with ownership responsibilities in our guide to pit bull laws in Illinois.
Requirements for Owning a Bully Breed Under Local Ordinances in Illinois
Where local ordinances do apply to bully breeds, the requirements typically fall into several categories. These vary by municipality, so the list below reflects common patterns across Illinois communities — not a single uniform standard.
- Licensing: In most Illinois municipalities, dog owners are required to obtain a license for their pets. This license ensures that dogs are properly identified and vaccinated against rabies. Some municipalities charge higher licensing fees for breeds classified as restricted or dangerous.
- Leash and Muzzle Rules: Leash laws typically apply to all breeds and require dogs to be on a leash when in public areas, helping to prevent incidents involving unrestrained dogs regardless of breed. Some ordinances add a muzzle requirement in public for bully-type dogs specifically.
- Vaccination and Microchipping: All dogs, including bully breeds, must be up-to-date on vaccinations, including rabies. Many jurisdictions also encourage or mandate microchipping to aid in identifying lost or stray dogs.
- Secure Enclosures: In municipalities that restrict rather than ban bully breeds, a locked outdoor enclosure is commonly required. Prior to obtaining a village permit for a pit bull, an owner may be required to install an exterior enclosure and keep the dog within it at all times the animal is on the property but not inside the residence. All gates on fences at residences where a bully breed is kept must be equipped with self-closing and self-latching mechanisms designed to securely close and lock the gate.
- Warning Signage: Some villages require owners to post visible warning signs on their property, as described in the local and county section above.
- Spay/Neuter Requirements: Certain municipalities require that restricted breeds be spayed or neutered as a condition of keeping the dog within city limits.
Important Note: Requirements listed here reflect common patterns in Illinois municipal ordinances and are not a substitute for checking your specific city or county code. Contact your local animal control office or municipal clerk directly to confirm what applies to your address.
For related ownership rules that may apply alongside bully breed regulations, see dog chaining laws in Illinois.
What to Do If Your Bully Breed Is Targeted Under a Local Ordinance in Illinois
If your American Bully is subject to a local ordinance — whether through a breed ban, a dangerous dog complaint, or a restriction order — you have options. Acting quickly and methodically gives you the best chance of a favorable outcome.
1. Verify the Ordinance Text Directly
Request the exact text of the ordinance from your municipality’s clerk or animal control office. Many ordinances define “pit bull” or “bully breed” in specific language, and your dog may not meet the technical definition. Pay close attention to how the ordinance defines the restricted breed — some use a narrow list of recognized breeds, while others use broad appearance-based language.
2. Document Your Dog’s Breed Identity
Gather registration papers from the ABKC or another recognized registry, veterinary records that list the breed, and photographs that clearly show your dog’s physical characteristics. In some cases, a written letter from a licensed veterinarian stating the dog’s breed can carry weight in an administrative proceeding.
3. Understand Your Appeal Rights
The owner of a dog found to be a dangerous dog by an Administrator may file a complaint against the Administrator in the circuit court within 35 days of receipt of notification of the determination, for a de novo hearing on the determination. The proceeding is conducted as a civil hearing pursuant to the Illinois Rules of Evidence and the Code of Civil Procedure. For vicious dog findings, the process goes directly through the courts.
4. Consult an Attorney
Information from general sources is not intended to be used as legal advice. If you are facing BSL in your city, reach out to your respective legislator or an attorney. An Illinois attorney familiar with animal law can review your municipality’s ordinance, advise on whether it conflicts with state law, and represent you in any hearing.
5. Engage Local Advocacy Groups
Organizations like PAWS Chicago have tracked bully breed issues in Illinois for years and may be able to point you toward local resources or legal support. The BSL Census also tracks ordinance changes and can help you understand what other owners in your area have faced.
6. Comply While You Appeal
If an order is issued, comply with its terms while your appeal is pending. Until the order has been reviewed and at all times during the appeal process, the owner must comply with the requirements set forth by the Administrator or the court. Failing to comply can result in impoundment, fines, and in serious cases, criminal charges — regardless of whether your appeal ultimately succeeds.
Owning an American Bully in Illinois is entirely legal in most parts of the state, but it requires you to stay informed about both state law and local ordinances. The legal landscape shifts as municipalities update their codes, so checking in with your local animal control office periodically — especially if you move — is one of the most practical steps you can take. For additional context on how Illinois handles animal-related laws more broadly, you may find our guides on feral dog laws in Illinois and neighbor’s cat in your yard laws in Illinois useful reading.