Who to call by state
Illinois
In Illinois, state-highway carcass issues route through the Illinois Department of Transportation, while deer salvage and most wildlife disease questions route through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Dead-bird reporting is split: IDPH directs residents to local health departments for West Nile testing, and IDNR/Wildlife Illinois handles sick or dead deer and other wildlife die-offs.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Report on a state road
- Official page →
- Road-killed deer salvage
- Illinois allows the Illinois resident/driver involved in the deer-vehicle collision to claim the deer first; if that driver leaves it, another eligible Illinois citizen may possess it, and possession must be reported to IDNR within 24 hours through the Claim a Road Kill Deer Report Form.
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in Illinois
Use this IDOT page to report roadway issues on highways under state jurisdiction and reach the state reporting portal.
Explains who may legally keep a road-killed deer in Illinois and the 24-hour reporting requirement.
Gives Illinois instructions for multiple dead animals or birds and links to the sick/dead deer reporting form.
Tells residents to contact their local health department about dead birds considered for West Nile surveillance.
Find the correct IDNR wildlife biologist for reports of sick or dead wild birds in groups and other wildlife concerns.
Key facts for Illinois
- IDOT says incidents on highways under state jurisdiction can be reported through its web portal.
- IDOT says roads not under its jurisdiction should be reported to the city, township, or county maintaining that roadway.
- IDNR says an Illinois resident/driver in a deer collision has first priority to possess that deer.
- IDNR says anyone claiming a vehicle-killed deer must report possession within 24 hours using the road-kill form.
- IDPH says dead birds for testing should be reported to the local health department, not sent elsewhere.
- Wildlife Illinois says multiple dead animals or birds should be reported to IDNR with species, number, and location.
What to do next
- If the carcass is on an Illinois state highway, use IDOT's reporting portal; if it is on a local road, contact the city, township, or county road agency.
- If you want to keep a road-killed deer, follow IDNR's eligibility rules and submit the required report within 24 hours.
- For dead birds, contact your local health department first; for sick or dead deer or wildlife die-offs, use the IDNR/Wildlife Illinois reporting pages.
Helpful guides
- Who removes dead animals on roads?
- Dead animal on private property: whose job is it?
- Dead deer removal: roads, yards and salvage permits
- Dead animal under a house or in a wall: finding it and the smell