SPRINGFIELD, IL – Cornerstone legislation phasing out the use of certain types of single-use plastics advanced out of the Illinois State Senate Environment and Conservation Committee today, an unprecedented milestone for legislation of this kind in Illinois. SB1531, a bill phasing out single-use foam foodware sponsored by Sen. Laura Fine, and SB1872, a bill phasing out single-use plastic shopping bags at large retailers sponsored by Sen. Cristina Castro, both received the votes needed to pass during today’s hearing. With key stakeholder support, the bills have cleared the first critical step in the legislative process and head next to the Senate floor for debate. Advocates from across the state gathered for the vote as a part of the Coalition for Plastic Reduction’s annual Plastic Reduction Lobby Day.
“I can’t overstate the significance of these bills passing out of committee today with strong legislative and stakeholder support,” said Jen Walling, Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director. “It means that after IEC’s decades of work building legislative support for upstream policy solutions like these bills, we are finally poised to enact substantial legislation that will make Illinois a leader in tackling the worst of the worst when it comes to toxic plastic pollution in our state and the Midwest.”
Plastic pollution is a growing problem in Illinois, from foam food ware to plastic bags, microfibers and plastic pellets. An estimated 22 million pounds of plastic waste ends up in the Great Lakes each year, and eighty-six percent of litter collected on Great Lakes beaches is plastic. Experts say preventing pollution at the source is the most effective solution to this growing problem.
“This is a critical legislative breakthrough in the Great Lakes, reduces at the source some of the most harmful sources of plastic pollution. Lake Michigan is one of Illinois’ greatest assets. However, plastic pollution is a major threat to Lake Michigan, our drinking water, and our public health. This suite of bills is advancing innovative, targeted, and impactful policy solutions urgently needed to protect our Great Lakes for generations to come,” said Andrea Densham, Senior Strategic Advisor, Alliance for the Great Lakes.
“Nothing that we use for just a few minutes should pollute our waters and environment for hundreds of years,” said Emily Kowalski, Outreach & Engagement Manager, Environment Illinois. “We can make a different choice to protect the Great Lakes, our wildlife and us. Illinoisans are ready to get rid of plastic foam cups and takeout containers. Thousands have taken action asking their legislators to support this policy. We urge the Illinois General Assembly to act swiftly.”
Communities are ready for decision-makers to take action. In a recent poll, conducted in December 2024, 80% of U.S. voters support state and local policies that reduce single-use plastic foam. A broad coalition of environmental and business advocates from across the state traveled to the State Capitol today for the Coalition for Plastic Reduction’s Plastic Reduction Lobby Day to speak with legislators about the need for swift action to prevent further plastic pollution and protect our state’s drinking water and environment. They called on legislators to pass the following plastic pollution prevention bills:
Phasing Out Single-use Foam Foodware, SB1531 Sen. Fine – Passed Committee 7-2
Americans use at least 5.6 billion pieces of plastic foam each year. Foam is exceptionally difficult to recycle and turns into toxic environmental microplastic particles. This bill reduces plastic pollution at the source by restricting the sale and distribution of foam food containers.
Phasing Out Single-use Plastic Bags, SB1872 Sen. Castro – Passed Committee 7-2
Americans use 100 billion plastic grocery bags each year, and although a single-use plastic shopping bag is used for just 12 minutes, it can stick around for 20 years. Plastic bags eventually degrade into microplastics, which can end up in the Great Lakes and our drinking water. This bill would implement a statewide phase-out of plastic shopping bags in five years at retailers with 12 or more locations and 250 or more employees nationwide. Environmental groups and key players like the Illinois Retail Merchants Association support this bill.
Several other bills addressing plastic pollution are currently being considered by the General Assembly, including:
Protecting Our Waterways From Microfibers – HB1370/ SB30 Rep. Didech / Sen. Morrison
More than 18 million microfibers, the most common type of microplastic, can be released in just one load of laundry. This bill will address this problem by adding a microfiber filter to new washing machines by 2030, similar to lint filters in dryers, preventing millions of microfibers from becoming polluted.
Plastic Pellet Free Waters – HB3278 Rep. Mason
Tiny plastic pellets are the building blocks of plastics manufacturing. They’re also being dumped into our environment by the millions polluting our water and harming wildlife. This bill will help to ensure that industry is held accountable for preventing the dumping or spilling of plastic pellets during the plastic production process.
Skip the Stuff – HB1600 Rep. Gong Gershowitz
Unwanted single-use plastic utensils pile up in our homes, landfills and in nature. This bill will require that third-party delivery apps only deliver single-use plastic utensils if they’ve been requested.
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Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) has worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for people and the environment. www.ilenviro.org