SPRINGFIELD – To further mitigate the harmful environmental impact and potential health risks from disposable food packaging, State Senator Laura Fine is leading a measure to prohibit the sale or distribution of food containers containing polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam.

“When you take food to go, you may dispose of the containers in several minutes. However, if the disposable container is made of polystyrene, it can remain in our environment for many years. Styrene food packaging contains harmful chemicals that can leach into food, especially if the food is hot or acidic," said Fine (D-Glenview). "Polystyrene food containers do not break down naturally in the environment, and pieces of these containers are often found in our waterways and aquatic life.”

In 2023, Fine passed the Degradable Plastic Act to ban state agencies and universities from purchasing or using polystyrene by Jan. 1, 2025. Building on these efforts, Senate Bill 1531 would prohibit the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam food containers across Illinois starting Jan. 1, 2030.

SPRINGFIELD – To implement safeguards preventing toxic heavy metal exposure for young children, State Senator Laura Fine outlined legislation at a press conference on Friday that would inform parents about any harmful toxins in baby food.

“When parents think they’re feeding their child nutritious baby food, and learn they might be potentially putting their child at risk, it is horrifying,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “It is important that parents have access to information about the contents of the baby food they’re purchasing, and this measure ensures transparency between manufacturers and consumers.”

Senate Bill 73 would require 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.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation by State Senator Laura Fine to improve health insurance plan transparency for consumers passed out of the Senate today. The bill ensures consumers receive important information about changes to their insurance plans.

“Providing consumers with information about legislative changes to their health care plans can make a difference in their medical and financial planning,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Enrollees must have access to this essential information to ensure their medical needs are covered.”

Currently, health insurance providers are required to provide enrollees with a list of in-network providers and a description of their coverage annually upon request. Senate Bill 1346 would expand the list of required information to include any newly enacted state coverage mandates. The Illinois Department of Insurance would be required to post an annual report on its website with this information.

SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring Illinois nursing mothers have proper workplace accommodations, State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure through the Senate to require employers to provide paid break time for pumping breastmilk.

“Working as a mother to a newborn or infant needing to be breastfed can be challenging without workplace accommodations accounting for the time needed to do so,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “By giving nursing mothers paid break time for pumping breastmilk, we are promoting a supportive work environment for these employees.”

Currently, Illinois employers are required to provide reasonable time to nursing mothers during the work day, but this time is not required to be paid. Fine’s measure would clarify that employees' time for pumping breastmilk has to be paid and that employees would not be required to use paid leave during breaks.