As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Abate" means the destruction or disinfection of bees, colonies, or items of bee equipment by burning or by treatment specified by the Department.
"Apiary" means a place where one or more hives or colonies of bees are kept.
"Bee diseases" means any infectious or contagious diseases of bees as specified by the Department, including but not limited to American foulbrood.
"Bee equipment" means hives, supers, frames, or any other devices used in beekeeping.
"Bee parasites" means any parasite of bees as specified by the Department.
"Beekeeper" means a person who keeps bees.
"Beekeeping" means the raising or producing of bees, beeswax, honey, and by-products and the transporting of bees, colonies or items of bee equipment.
"Bees" means the common honey bee, Apis mellifera (L) in any stage of its life cycle.
"Colony" means the entire honey bee family or social unit living together.
"Compliance agreement" means a written agreement between a registrant or other person handling or moving bees, colonies or items of bee equipment and the Department, in which the former agrees to specified conditions or requirements so as to remain in compliance with the terms of this Act.
"Department" means the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
"Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture or his or her authorized agent.
"Exotic strain of bees" means any developed strain of bees not known to be present ordinarily in the State as specified by the Department.
"Hive" means a frame hive, box hive, box, barrel, log gum, skep or any other receptacle or container, natural or artificial, or any part thereof, which is used or employed as a domicile for bees.
"Inspection certificate" means an official record stating that the bees, colonies, or items of bee equipment have been inspected by an inspector of apiaries or other officer charged with similar duties from this State or other states for bee diseases, bee parasites or other nuisances and found to be in compliance with this Act or Illinois entry requirements.
"Nuisance" means bees, colonies, or items of bee equipment where bee diseases, bee parasites or exotic strains of bees exist; or hives that cannot be readily inspected; or colonies that are not registered.
"Packages" means bees with or without food supply in special containers for their transportation.
"Permit" means a statement of authorization to allow bees, colonies, or items of bee equipment to enter the State or to move within the State whether or not an inspection certificate is available.
"Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or other organized group of persons whether incorporated or not.
"Registrant" means the person applying for registration of the apiary or apiaries and the colonies of bees.
"Registration" means the recording of the registrant's name, address, apiary location and any other pertinent information on a printed form prescribed by the Department.
510 ILCS 20/1a