North Egypt News

The state of Illinois could soon have a new official state snake thanks to the teamwork of state Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) and seventh-grade Carterville student Gentry Heiple.

“I was proud to team up with Gentry to present legislation that designates the Eastern Milksnake as the State of Illinois’ official state snake,” Severin said in a post to his website. “I truly enjoyed working with Gentry on his ‘How a bill becomes a law,’ project.”

The proposal – that will now receive further consideration from legislators – kicked off after Gentry sent a request to Severin’s office late last year and the two began working together on the project. Over that same time, Gentry got an opportunity to see how bills could become laws.

As for the state snake project, Severin said Gentry had the idea and did all the research in bringing things together. In addition, he presented his idea to a panel of lawmakers that make up a standing House of Representatives committee.

“I am proud to report he was successful, receiving unanimous committee consent,” Severin said. “It is my honor to serve the people of the 117th district and especially in a moment like this when I can connect our young people to the legislative process.”

The two subspecies of the milksnake found in Illinois are the eastern milksnake and the red milksnake, with the eastern averaging up to 36 inches in length and the red milksnake up to 28 inches in length.

The eastern milksnake may be found statewide and is known to live in fields, woodlands, rocky hillsides and river bottoms. It hides under logs, rocks and boards. The eastern milksnake is known to populate the northern half of Illinois, while the red milksnake tends to be in the southern half. The milksnake kills prey by constriction, feeding on small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes, and when disturbed will rapidly vibrate its tail and hiss before strike.

With mating season coming in spring, the female deposits eight to 20 eggs in June with eggs sticking together.

Hatching occurs in August or September for the milksnake, which was given its name because at one time people believed that it could milk cows.

Other sponsors of House Bill 4821 include Rep. Michael Marron (R-Danville), Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), and Rep. Daniel Swanson (R-Woodhull).

Lindsay Stockheckle said she is proud of her son for seeing the project through.

“Gentry learned a lot about the legislative process by teaming up with Rep. Severin to get this done,” she said. “We are thankful to Rep. Severin and to the members of the State Government Committee for their indulgence and assistance in seeing this project through. Gentry is looking forward to the bill passing the House and Senate and being signed by the Governor.