Mah Urges Governor Pritzker to Support Mink Farm Oversight Legislation

CHICAGO – State Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, is urging Governor Pritzker and his administration to fully back the Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act (House Bill 2627) and push back against Trump-era policies that threaten the health and safety of Illinois communities.

The federal government’s recent decision to halt its annual monitoring of mink farms means critical data—such as the geographical region and production levels of mink farms—will no longer be collected or made publicly available each year.

“This move by the Trump administration is a reckless abandonment of basic public health responsibilities,” said Mah, sponsor of the Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act. “Data on mink farming is essential for understanding and mitigating the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, especially given the role mink farms have played in previous viral outbreaks. By cutting off this data stream, the federal government is leaving communities in the dark about a real and present threat to public health.”

Illinois can step up to fill the void through strong, science-based state policy. The Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act establishes clear disease reporting requirements, improves transparency, and implements safeguards to reduce the risk of virus transmission between animals and humans on Illinois mink farms.

“While the Trump-era U.S. Department of Agriculture may be ignoring science, Illinois must be committed to listening to the experts—and protecting its communities,” said Mah. “House Bill 2627 has become not just important, but absolutely necessary. That’s why I am calling on Governor Pritzker and his administration to fully support this legislation, stand with public health experts, and ensure Illinois families are protected from preventable risks.”