Illinois Now First State in the Nation to Prevent Use of Personal Care Products Containing Synthetic Plastics

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to make Illinois the first state in the nation to ban the manufacture and sale of personal care products containing synthetic plastic microbeads. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"Banning microbeads will help ensure clean waters across Illinois and set an example for our nation to follow," Governor Quinn said. "Lake Michigan and the many rivers and lakes across our state are among our most important natural resources. We must do everything necessary to safeguard them."

Senate Bill 2727, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans and State Representative Jaime Andrade Jr., makes Illinois the first state to ban microbeads in personal care products. The new law will require synthetic microbeads to be removed from manufacturing by the end of 2018 and bans the sale of such items by the end of 2019 in Illinois.

"Lake Michigan is a critically important natural resource for our state, and its health affects recreation, tourism and the flourishing of aquatic plant and animal species," Senator Steans said. "I'm proud that Illinois is an environmental leader, taking the first step away from plastic microbeads toward natural exfoliants, and I'm optimistic that we've started a nationwide movement to protect not just the Great Lakes, but other bodies of water with high concentrations of microbeads."

"This legislation is a tremendous first step in protecting our precious natural resource, Lake Michigan, from plastic pollutants," Representative Andrade said. "This bill would not have been possible without relentless support from our Governor, the business community, and the environmental groups that worked together for this legislation to pass both the Senate and the House unanimously."

"We are very pleased today to see Governor Quinn take action to make Illinois the first state in the nation to ban microbeads from personal care products," Illinois Environmental Council Executive Director Jennifer Walling said. "It is great to see Illinois be first in the nation at protecting our Great Lakes from plastics pollution."

Governor Quinn has been a strong advocate for protecting Illinois' environment, including the 2012 launch of the Illinois Clean Water Initiative (ICWI). The ICWI has created thousands of jobs across Illinois and allows local governments to access low-interest loans for a variety of wastewater and drinking water projects.

The Governor also signed legislation to prevent landfills from being built or expanding in Cook County and has dedicated $10 million in state funding to improve water quality in Chicago area waterways.

Under the Governor's leadership, the Illinois EPA proposed three new recreational uses for the Chicago Area Waterway System and the Lower Des Plaines River. These new use designations were approved by USEPA and will lead to disinfection of wastewater treatment plant effluent discharging to the primary contact waterway segments.

Since Fiscal Year 2011, thirty-six grants totaling almost $15 million, have been made available to local units of government and other organizations to demonstrate green infrastructure best management practices to control stormwater runoff for water quality protection in Illinois.

Governor Quinn has also forged partnerships with seven nations through the Sister Rivers and Sister Lakes program to share ideas about such challenges as agricultural run-off, invasive species and pollution while boosting tourism and eco-awareness.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today celebrated marriage equality in Illinois by attending the wedding of James Darby and Patrick Bova during a day of ceremonies at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago. The Governor announced yesterday that marriage equality is now in effect, allowing all couples in Illinois the ability to receive the rights and protections of marriage. The new law is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make Illinois the most welcoming state in the nation.

"Three years ago to this very day I witnessed Jim and Patrick's special ceremony as they joined in civil union," Governor Quinn said. "Now I'm honored to be in attendance as they take the sacred vow of marriage. We worked hard to make this day possible but we never lost hope that love would prevail in the Land of Lincoln. Today we celebrate full marriage equality for all couples across Illinois."

James and Patrick have been together for 50 years. Their wedding is one of several ceremonies planned during a day of festivities at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago in celebration of the new law. The MCA opened its galleries and sculpture garden for the private wedding ceremonies and post-ceremony receptions.

Governor Quinn led the charge for marriage equality and signed the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act on November 20, 2013, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality. The law is officially in effect as of June 1, allowing every couple in Illinois, regardless of gender, equal access to the status, benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities of marriage.

Governor Quinn first called for marriage equality in May 2012 and made it a top legislative priority, featuring it in his 2013 State of the State address. In November, the Governor signed the historic bill in front of thousands at the University of Illinois at Chicago's UIC Forum. James and Patrick were also in attendance at the historic signing.

In addition to equal access benefits and protections, current provisions in the Affordable Care Act require all insurance companies to offer the coverage to all couples, regardless of their gender. This means that all married couples and their children can now enroll in a plan together in Illinois and may qualify for financial help on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Marriage and other qualifying life events may allow couples to get coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace through a Special Enrollment Period, but they must enroll in a plan within 60 days of the marriage or other life event. A Special Enrollment Period also allows residents to make changes to their current plan, like adding a spouse and children, changing carriers, and possibly getting financial help. To learn more about coverage options or to find free in-person help visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call 866-311-1119 Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In 2011, the Governor signed into law historic civil union legislation. For the more than 6,000 couples across Illinois who have joined in a civil union, the law also allows the ability to convert a civil union to marriage and make the marriage date retroactive to the date of the civil union. When applying for a Special Enrollment Period, residents are asked to use the date their civil union was converted to a marriage.

CHICAGO - In honor of Memorial Day, Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement, recognizing all servicemembers across our state and country:  

"This Memorial Day I encourage everyone to pause and honor our nation's servicemembers and those who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedom. 

"We owe a debt of gratitude to many brave Illinois men and women who have answered the call to serve. It's important that we take the time to reflect on their sacrifice, which is one we can never repay.

"As Abraham Lincoln believed, we all have a duty to take care of those who have borne the battle. As Americans, we also have a duty to support our countless military families.

"I join the people of our state and country in recognizing and remembering those who stepped forward in the face of danger to defend our democracy. May they stand forever in our hearts."

After marching in the annual Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade, the Governor will bring Challenger - a 26-year-old Bald Eagle - to U.S. Cellular Field. The eagle will be set free to soar over the stadium during the singing of the National Anthem. Over the Memorial Day Weekend, Governor Quinn also unveiled the "Portrait of a Soldier" memorial exhibit at the O'Hare Oasis and announced the summer exhibit schedule at the Tollway Oases in northern Illinois. The exhibit features a series of hand-drawn portraits of nearly all of the men and women who have died while serving our country since Sept. 11, 2001.

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement regarding the Illinois Senate's passage of a resolution supporting the U.S. Equal Rights Amendment:

"Today Illinois stands on the right side of history. We are sending a message to the nation that our United States Constitution should guarantee equal rights, regardless of gender.

"The Equal Rights Amendment is as important today as it was when it was first proposed in 1972. Women across the state still struggle with the issue of equal pay among many others. We have made great strides in the last four decades, but we must never stop fighting for full equality.

"I commend the members of the Illinois Senate and sponsor State Senator Heather Steans for passing this important legislation, and I encourage the Illinois House to quickly act on it."