Villa Measure to Ban BPA in Receipts Heads to Governor’s Desk

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To prevent exposure to a harmful chemical found in many everyday plastics and other items, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently passed legislation to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in receipts and business records.

“Bisphenol A has the potential to be dangerous when it enters the bloodstream. As families are taking strides to avoid this chemical in bottles and food storage containers, it is commonsense to remove it from other items we come into contact with every day,” said Villa. “My legislation will require paper manufacturers to replace BPA with an alternative chemical, which will cut down on our exposure.”

Villa’s House Bill 2076 will amend the Illinois Environmental Protection Act to prohibit the manufacture, distribution and use of thermal paper with BPA-based coating beginning January 1, 2020. The measure passed the Illinois House and Senate with strong bipartisan support, and has been sent to the governor for consideration. Villa’s measure has been backed by Sierra Club Illinois, the Illinois Environmental Council, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881 and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

“Exposure to BPA is a public health risk, considering the damaging impact it can have on the body’s endocrine system, especially in pregnant women and their babies and small children,” continued Villa. “I urge the governor to sign this legislation when it reaches his desk to protect Illinois workers and families from contact with BPA.”