No, in Illinois feral cats are not considered wildlife. They are not protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code. It is legal to live-trap feral cats and take them to an animal shelter. However, feral cats can be carriers of disease, and they will try to bite and scratch once they are caught. So caution is needed when trapping them and transporting them to a shelter. Your local animal shelter can provide tips on the best way to trap the cats, and may be able to provide trapping assistance.