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.

The measure also requires manufacturers to make certain information about their product publicly available on their website, including the name and level of each toxic heavy metal found in the food, the product name, UPC, 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.

“We need to support Illinois families and future parents in their effort to nurture their children – our future generations,” said Fine. “By giving parents access to critical information about the contents of their baby’s food, they can better protect their children from unnecessary exposure.”

Senate Bill 73 passed the Senate last week and awaits further action.

[VIDEO] – Link: https://youtu.be/HXguhfNH4JQ?si=W3uWP5KB-bpdYlld

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.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure families and their children are protected from toxic heavy metals, State Senator Laura Fine advanced a measure to strengthen safety regulations for baby foods.

“Parents expect baby food to be manufactured safely,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “By informing families of the potential presence of toxic heavy metals in baby food, we can prevent exposure and give parents peace of mind about what their child is eating.”

To expand safety regulations for baby food, Fine’s bill 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 – Recent studies and research have found concerning levels of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in baby foods. Even in small quantities, these metals are known to put babies at risk of developmental delays. A measure, sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine, to inform families about baby foods containing toxic heavy metals passed the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, not many parents are aware about the potential exposure to toxic heavy metals in baby food, which can lead to health issues for a growing child,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This measure is designed to provide toxin-free food that has been thoroughly tested, giving parents the peace of mind that they are giving their child the best possible nutrients.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to ensure patients suffering from chronic pain receive necessary treatments has been signed into law.

“Patients with legitimate chronic pain are placed at further risk of self-medicating or mental and physical harm if they are restricted from accessing necessary medical treatment,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Those suffering from chronic pain due to an injury or illness will now receive the care they need without barriers or misunderstandings.”

House Bill 5373 reflects new guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the prescribing of opioids for chronic pain. The new law allows physicians to authorize necessary prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, without strict limitations based on dosage amounts except as provided under federal law.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure patients suffering from chronic pain receive recommended treatment, State Senator Laura Fine passed legislation to authorize physicians to prescribe controlled substances according to updated federal guidelines.

“To combat the opioid epidemic, in 2016 states instituted policies that severely restricted the prescribing of certain opioids," said Fine (D-Glenview). “As a result, chronic pain patients with a legitimate need for these medications were at risk of self-medicating and putting their mental and physical health in jeopardy.”