SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A set of two bills would ban plastic bags from stores and remove polystyrene foam from food containers.
Under the proposal, companies by 2030 would be required to use either paper bags or another re-usable alternative. This is mostly targeted at big companies such as Walmart and Target.
State Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) recently traveled to Mexico city with the Governor. Castro said near her hotel she entered a Walmart that had no plastic bags in sight.
"They were trying to change behavior and making people bring their own bags," Castro said. "So if Mexico city can do that, we sure as heck can do that here in Illinois."
If signed into law, the plan to remove polystyrene from food containers would also come in 2030. State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) said polystyrene holds carcinogenic chemicals.
"Even though styrene products are familiar to most of us, most people are unaware of the lasting harm it can impose on our environment and our physical health," Fine said.
Both Senators said the reason these bills would only apply by 2030 is because they want to give businesses enough time to adjust their supply chain.
The proposals are both on the Senate floor, where lawmakers could talk about them in the coming weeks.
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