Illinois State Senator Laura Fine

Senator Fine’s law strengthens protections for carbon capture projects

Details: Category: Press Releases; Friday, August 15, 2025 03:31 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Building on her previous work establishing robust standards for Illinois carbon capture projects, State Senator Laura Fine passed a law to further enhance protections for property owners.

“Over the past few years, I have worked to ensure landowners are compensated fairly when their land is used to carbon capture and sequestration projects,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “We must have the strongest protections available as this industry continues to grow.”

Expanding on Senator Fine’s 2024 law that set environmental safety requirements at each stage of the carbon capture process, this new law strengthens protections for property owners. The law allows for the recovery of attorney’s fees if a sequestration site landowner prevails in a lawsuit for damages to surface property. Additionally, the law sets forth compensation provisions for owners of land above the underground pore space that is used to store carbon.

Fine law establishes baby food testing for toxic heavy metals

Details: Category: Press Releases; Friday, August 15, 2025 03:26 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Protecting young children from toxic heavy metal exposure is essential to preventing future developmental delays. To address this, State Senator Laura Fine passed a law requiring baby food to be tested for toxic metals and providing parents with information about the safety of their infant’s food.

“Parents deserve the confidence that the food they’re giving their baby is safe and nutritious,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This law provides that peace of mind by ensuring baby food is thoroughly tested and that manufacturers follow clear safety standards.”

Fine’s law requires manufacturers to test samples of their baby food products for toxic elements – such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury – and disclose this information directly on the product’s website. The information must include the name and level of each toxic heavy metal found in the food, the product name, and a link to the FDA’s website with information about the health risks of toxic heavy metal exposure for children. Links to this information must also be easily accessible on the products themselves, through a QR code.

New Fine law provides additional workplace support for nursing mothers

Details: Category: Press Releases; Monday, August 04, 2025 02:12 PM

SPRINGFIELD – To support mothers trying to balance work life and home life, State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to allow for paid break time for pumping breast milk has been signed into law. This law ensures working mothers who nurse their infants do not have to be concerned about losing income in order to provide for their baby.

“Without workplace accommodations that consider the time required to breastfeed a newborn or infant, the burden of balancing work responsibilities and personal responsibilities becomes increasingly challenging,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “We are not only encouraging a supportive work environment for these employees, we are also empowering Illinois mothers who must work to support their families.”

Fine’s new law clarifies that employees’ time for pumping breastmilk has to be paid and that employees would not be required to use paid leave during breaks.

Fine secures over $259,000 for five Cook County libraries

Details: Category: Press Releases; Wednesday, July 09, 2025 02:44 PM

GLENVIEW – State Senator Laura Fine announced five Cook County libraries are set to receive a combined total of $259,000 for library services and programming.

“Our local libraries offer valuable resources for all ages, including educational and research materials, community spaces, and free internet access,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “I am proud of the services Illinois’ public libraries provide to all residents. These continued investments will open doors to endless opportunities.”

Through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants program, 639 public libraries statewide will receive nearly $18 million in grants. Libraries may use the funds to support resources and services for their communities, including books, e-books, online resources and internet access, personnel, public programming and capital expenditures.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting my website.

I am proud to serve as the State Senator from Illinois’ 9th Senate District. I hope you’ll find this site a useful resource in keeping up to date with what’s happening in our district and in Springfield. Please contact any of my offices with questions or ways I can better serve you.

It is my honor to represent you in Springfield.

Sincerely,

Laura Fine Signaure