Burr Ridge Mayor Won't Feed Deer After All

BURR RIDGE, IL – Earlier this week, Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso marveled at the deer that visit his backyard. On a recent night, he reported a herd of 10.

The mayor said he feeds the birds every morning and that a couple of deer like the food. He said wanted to get deer food.

But he said Thursday he changed his mind after a resident "politely" informed him that it was against state law to feed deer.

"Since it’s not permitted by law, of course, I will not continue," Grasso said in an email to Patch.

In 2002, Illinois enacted a ban on feeding deer as part of its effort to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state's wild deer herd.

The ban includes food, salt, mineral blocks and other food products, with some exceptions such as bird and squirrel feeders close to homes.

Setting out feed or a salt block that attracts deer could speed up the spread of chronic wasting disease, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.