Several northern Illinois counties, including Ogle, Will, Boone, and DeKalb, have faced challenges regulating rodeos after the animal rights group SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) documented widespread animal abuse, particularly in the controversial event steer tailing. This practice, where a rider grabs a steer’s tail to slam it to the ground, often causes severe injuries like broken legs and severed tails. Despite SHARK providing extensive footage of abuse and urging legal action, counties have struggled to prosecute due to Illinois’ broad animal protection laws, which require proving intent and lack specific statutes banning steer tailing. Ogle County, where a Mexican-style rodeo near Rochelle operates under a longstanding special-use permit, has notably not taken strong action, instead filing charges against a SHARK advocate for alleged harassment.

The legal and regulatory complexities are compounded by concerns over antidiscrimination laws, as some counties fear targeting Mexican-style rodeos could be seen as culturally discriminatory. While Boone County successfully updated its ordinances to better protect rodeo animals, including requiring veterinary oversight and banning certain abusive practices, Ogle County maintains its permit with minimal conditions and no renewal process, making revocation difficult without proven criminal activity. Advocates argue that the issue is not cultural but about preventing animal cruelty, calling for clearer laws and more proactive enforcement to end abusive rodeo practices in Illinois.