SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Michael J. Fox Foundation is working with state lawmakers to ban the highly toxic pesticide paraquat.

More than 70 countries have banned the "Parkinson's pesticide," including the European Union. China has also banned Paraquat, although the country profits from selling the pesticide in the United States.

Sponsors and advocates told WAND News Thursday it is past time to ban the product, as there are currently 41,000 people living with Parkinson's in Illinois.

"Research shows that people who handle paraquat are two-and-a-half times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease," said Grant Niver, a senior state government relations manager with the Michael J. Fox Foundation. "Even those just living or working near treated fields also experience significantly increased risk for Parkinson's disease. This impacts not only farmers and farm workers but rural communities across Illinois."

Senate Bill 3161 would ban paraquat beginning Jan. 1, 2027. However, the Illinois Department of Agriculture would be allowed to give exceptions for using the pesticide for research under strict safety and reporting protocols. 

Still, farmers and some lawmakers argue Illinois should not ban the product.

"You've had both Democrat and Republican presidents for the last 30-40 years that this product has been used and, in your viewpoint, has been causing harm," said Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport). "If it's not being banned or significantly reduced, that's because it's disputed science."

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) said paraquat is so strongly associated with neurological damage that it is commonly used in laboratory settings to replicate Parkinson's symptoms for research. She stressed that other herbicides and non-chemical weed management practices have become effective alternatives to using paraquat. 

"Paraquat is one of the most toxic herbicides still in use, and the science linking it to serious health risks like Parkinson's disease is too strong to ignore," Ellman said. "Illinois has a responsibility to protect workers, families and communities by taking a closer look at its dangers and moving toward safer alternatives." 

Senate Bill 3161 is currently locked in the Senate Assignments Committee, but Ellman hopes to move the proposal next year.

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