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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING THE PASSAGE OF SB1531 (THE DISPOSABLE FOOD SERVICE CONTAINER ACT)
WHEREAS, polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as “Styrofoam” is used in disposable food service containers and widely used for take-out foods, beverages, and leftover meals. Studies on polystyrene foam suggest it may never truly biodegrade, instead breaking down into smaller chemical microplastics. It is difficult to recycle, takes more than 500 years to break down in a landfill, and contributes to environmental contamination and cleanup costs generally borne by local governments; and
WHEREAS, styrene is a chemical used in the production of polystyrene and has been identified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP); studies have shown harmful chemicals in plastics can leach into our bodies; and
WHEREAS, use of polystyrene foam food service containers contributes to microplastics in the environment, polystyrene microplastics contaminate the food contained in the disposal container, and through the lifecycle of microplastics in landfills, non-biodegradable pollutants are ingested and inhaled by humans, animals and marine creatures; and
WHEREAS, after ingesting polystyrene particles, due to their small size, they may be transported to other organs via the bloodstream and lymphatic system accumulating in organs like the brain, liver, lungs, and others; and
WHEREAS, styrene is linked to at least vision and hearing loss, poor memory and concentration, cancer, nervous system damage; and
WHEREAS, there are better alternatives for disposable food containers and reducing the use of polystyrene foam serves an important public health and environmental benefit by limiting human exposure to microplastics in food, water, and the broader ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 22 million pounds of plastic enters the Great Lakes each year. Too much of plastic pollution is from single-use items like foam cups, takeout containers and other food ware; and
WHEREAS, the Disposable Food Service Container Act (SB1531) would prohibit the sale or distribution in Illinois of disposable food service containers composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam beginning January 1, 2030; and
WHEREAS, there is a growing movement away from polystyrene from large commercial chains and restaurants, towards recyclable alternatives that don’t pose the health and environmental risks as polystyrene; and
WHERERAS, at least 12 states and two U.S. territories have enacted statewide bans targeting expanded polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) for food containers and the European Union enacted a ban in 2021 on many single-use plastics items including expanded polystyrene food containers; and
WHEREAS, SB1531 includes an enforcement section which states a violator shall first be provided with a written warning notice, a second violation shall be a civil penalty of up to $500; and a third violation shall be a civil penalty of up to $1,000 within a 12-month period; and
WHEREAS, SB1531 passed the Illinois Senate on April 30, 2025, demonstrating legislative momentum and growing statewide consensus on the need to address polystyrene foam pollution; and
WHEREAS, SB1531 has garnered broad support from nearly 50 environmental, consumer rights, and community organizations, including, but not limited to: The Sierra Club, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Shedd Aquarium, Illinois Environmental Council, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Friends of the Chicago River, Reduce Waste Chicago, Cleanup Club Chicago, Citizen Action Illinois, Chicago Environmentalists, the League of Women Voters, Environment Illinois and the Coalition for Plastic Reduction; and
WHEREAS, Cook County residents, like communities across Illinois, experience the environmental and public health consequences of polystyrene foam pollution, making it both fiscally responsible and environmentally imperative to support legislation that reduces these harms; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners expresses its strong support for the Disposable Food Service Container Act (SB1531), sponsored by Senator Laura Fine and Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, and urges the Illinois House of Representatives to pass this legislation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners urges Governor JB Pritzker to sign SB1531 into law upon passage by the General Assembly; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Illinois, the President of the Illinois Senate, the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and the Cook County delegation to the Illinois General Assembly to affirm Cook County’s support for this environmentally responsible and public-health-driven legislation.
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