I found this reference to wolves in Jersey County, Illinois in 1930.  Makes one wonder about the statement of Joseph A. Kath, Endangered Species Manager, Illinois Department of Natural Resources - “Gray wolves were extirpated from Illinois before 1860.”

February 6, 1930

Otterville Resident Kills Large Wolf

Jersey County Democrat

George Price of the Otterville vicinity was in Jerseyville the past week and reported that he had recently caught a large gray wolf in a steel trap on his farm.  Neighbors in that vicinity have been losing many fowls, and a number of traps have been set.

When Price went to the trap several days ago, he found a large gray wolf captured in it, and within a short distance of the trap was another wolf, and had he had a gun with him he believes he could have killed the second animal.