SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois House passed 41 bills to the Senate Tuesday ahead of a scheduled Friday deadline.
The measures, among others, included a ban on polystyrene food containers, bills focusing on gender inclusivity in state law and a requirement that expectant parents have a “duty” to split pregnancy-related costs, including for abortions.
Below are a few of the measures that passed, all of which will require Senate approval and a signature from the governor to become law.
A bill that would ban polystyrene disposable food containers – commonly referred to by the brand name Styrofoam – passed the House by a 67-43 vote.
After Jan. 1, 2024, House Bill 2376 would prohibit retail establishments from selling or distributing containers made of polystyrene foam.
“I think this is a reasonable measure that starts with just carry-out food containers, promotes responsible stewardship for our planet,” Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, a Democrat from Glenview and the bill’s lead sponsor, said on the House floor.
The bill would provide temporary exemptions for certain establishments including food pantries, soup kitchens, non-profits, and federal, state, or local government agencies that provide food to “needy individuals at no or nominal charge. A ban would take effect for those entities beginning in 2025.
Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, is the lead sponsor of an identical bill in the Senate.
Source and full article: https://www.wqad.com/article/news/politics/illinois-politics/illinois-house-sends-41-bills-senate-as-friday-legislative-deadline-looms/526-bb5a2e9d-4bca-4c23-a47b-a65e5c10813f