(The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives could take up a measure this month that would ban the sale of polystyrene food service packaging in the state by 2030. Various business and labor groups oppose the proposed legislation.
Illinois companies would still be allowed to manufacture and sell the products, but only to parties out of state. The law would exclude egg cartons.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, said the products contain carcinogens that can cause severe illnesses.
“This is our time to stand up to make sure that we have a cleaner, safer place for our children and our grandchildren,” said Fine.
Fine noted that polystyrene is already banned throughout the European Union and 11 U.S. states.
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said Illinois businesses have plenty of time to adjust to the ban.
“This is a pro-business bill with the support of the restaurants and the retail merchants who are the most directly impacted,” said Harmon. “It’s a five year phase-in.”
Republican lawmakers criticized the negative impact the legislation could have on jobs and small businesses in Illinois, including state Sen. Liandro Arrelano, R-Dixon.
“I think we need to understand that regulations and mandates have different impacts in different rungs of society and where they hit the hardest is on those without legal departments and on those without the kind of resources it takes to resource their product lines,” said Arrelano.
Some labor unions, including the Illinois Pipe Trades Association and AFL-CIO, oppose the legislation, which passed the Senate and is headed to the House for consideration.
