Proposal banning firefighting protective gear containing PFAS heads to Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could ban companies from manufacturing, selling, and distributing firefighting protective gear that contain forever chemicals.

Rep. Mike Kelly, a Chicago firefighter, filed the proposal after seeing research that shows many people on the front lines are dying due to their standard gear.

The plan requires companies selling protective equipment containing PFAS to provide written notice of why the chemicals are added to the gear by the end of the year.

Illinois could then ban people from selling any PPE containing forever chemicals to fire departments starting January 1, 2027.

"Although the fire service has known that PFAS were contained in our protective gear since at least 2018, nothing was done about it until state laws and litigation started to affect the bottom line of these manufacturers," said Steve Shetsky, the northern district legislative representative for American Firefighters of Illinois.

Manufacturers that sell auxiliary firefighting protective equipment would be banned from knowingly selling or distributing the gear intentionally containing PFAS beginning January 1, 20230.

House Bill 2409 gained unanimous support in the House and Senate.

"Firefighting plays an essential role in protecting and supporting our neighbors through accidents, illness and more," said Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). "By allowing harmful chemicals to be used in their clothing and equipment, we are putting their health at risk. Phasing out the use of forever chemicals ensures that our firefighters can continue to respond to incidents in the community without worrying about the long-term health risks associated with the use of PFAS in their gear."