Illinois Senate passes bill prohibiting single-use plastics in hotels

The Illinois Senate is advancing a measure to prohibit certain hotels from using single-use plastic bottles by 2026.

State Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, said her Senate Bill 2960 is about encouraging a change in behavior to prohibit hotels from using single use plastics.

“Right now, we are putting so much plastic pollution into our waterways that it will no longer be safe for aquatic consumption and then human consumption,” Fine said.

She said hotels are already doing this.

State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said if that’s the case, the law is unnecessary. Plus, McClure said enforcement of the measure, if it becomes law, will burden already stressed state’s attorneys’ offices.

“They do not have the resources right now to also have to police each hotel to ensure that they are not using single-use plastic bottles,” McClure said.

A first violation of the law, if passed, would be a written warning. Second or subsequent violations could levy a civil penalty of $500 for each violation.

The measure now heads to the Illinois House for further action.