SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is cutting off a major source of profit for puppy mills and other for-profit operations that abuse animals by banning the use of credit, loans or installment agreements for the purchase of companion animals. Unethical breeders and pet stores often use these debt plans to charge high prices for animals who are often raised and kept in abusive conditions.

“I’ve said from the beginning that puppy mills and unethical breeders should not be able to profit from selling abused and neglected animals at exorbitant rates,” Carroll said. “We have a responsibility not to enable the corrupt and immoral practices of these breeders.”

Carroll’s House Bill 3236 bans financing companies from offering or engaging in any type of installment loan or other loan transaction related to the sale or purchase of a companion animal. The aim is to make operations that neglect or mistreat the animals in their care unprofitable. It is hoped that without the ability to extend credit or loans, these operations may ultimately be rendered unable to compete with responsible shelters and pet rescues.

The bill passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses and was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. It becomes effective Jan. 1, 2024.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the vast majority of people all agree that animals should not be abused for profit,” Carroll said. “Unfortunately, we still have to make laws to stop an unscrupulous minority who don’t care about animals and won’t stop abusing them if they can line their pockets by doing so. That’s what this law helps to do.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A bipartisan bill by state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, aimed at stopping the illicit trade in poorly-treated companion animals, is headed to the governor’s desk after being unanimously approved by the state Senate.

“For too long, puppy mills and fly-by-night breeders have been able to profit from keeping dogs and cats in neglectful and abusive conditions and selling them at inflated prices,” Carroll said. “That isn’t right and measures to disrupt this corrupt and immoral business model are long overdue.”

When it takes effect, House Bill 3236 will prohibit financing companies from offering or engaging in any type of installment loan or other loan transaction related to the sale or purchase of a companion animal. The measure is aimed at disreputable animal providers who offer loans for consumers to buy animals who are often kept in abusive conditions and sold at exorbitant rates.

The bill passed the House in March with bipartisan support, and cleared the Senate unanimously in May. It now awaits the signature of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“As I said back when this bill advanced out of committee in March, the vast majority of people agree that animals should not be abused for profit,” Carroll said. “This bill targets a small minority of unscrupulous individuals who won’t stop mistreating animals as long as they can continue to line their pockets by doing so. Abusing animals is a crime, and crime shouldn’t pay.”

Carroll’s office is reachable at 847-229-5499 or ma@repcarroll.com.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, in conjunction with the Lake Bluff nonprofit charity Bernie’s Book Bank, is conducting a children’s book drive now through the month of May at his constituent service office at 3153 Dundee Rd. in Northbrook.

“Reading is one of the best measures to promote academic and lifelong success,” Carroll said. “Helping to ensure that every child has the opportunity to get their hands—and their eyes—on as many books as possible during their formative years is a key part of developing our state’s most precious resource, our children.”

Carroll is asking local residents to collect children’s books, which can then be donated to local families in need. His drive is seeking donations of books for reading levels from beginner through 6^th grade. Reference titles, textbooks or activity books, along with religious works are not being sought and should be donated elsewhere.

Carroll’s office is reachable at 847-229-5499 or ma@repcarroll.com.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is continuing to advocate for both companion and livestock animals statewide after advancing a bill aimed at ensuring consumers know, based on product labeling, whether pet food and commercial feed contain major food allergens.

“Farmers, ranchers and pet owners need and deserve to know what is in their animals’ food, especially when it comes to common food allergens,” Carroll said. “That’s why it’s important to have clear definitions of what counts as a food allergen, as well as unambiguous standards as to how allergen-containing food and feed are labeled.”

Carroll’s House Bill 1290 would provide that commercial feed or pet food is mislabeled when its label fails to disclose that it contains a “food allergen”. Milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, sesame, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans—as well as any food ingredient containing proteins derived from any of those—are currently defined as food allergens. The bill was recently approved for consideration by the full House of Representatives by the House Consumer Protection Committee.

“Protecting pets and livestock from food allergens requires well-defined standards paired with accountability,” Carroll said. “Consumers’ ability to monitor what their animals are being fed is well worth the minimal imposition of a policy like this that helps ensure accurate labels.”

Carroll’s office is reachable at 847-229-5499 or ma@repcarroll.com.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – A bill introduced and advanced out of committee by state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, would close a loophole often exploited by puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders to profit from their activities at the expense of animal welfare.

“The vast majority of Illinoisans are united behind the idea that animals should not be abused and that those who try to profit from activities that are harmful to innocent creatures need to be stopped,” Carroll said. “What this bill is about is stopping a small minority of people from continuing to shamelessly inflict harm in their heedless rush to enrich themselves no matter the cost.”

Carroll’s House Bill 3236 would prohibit financing companies from offering or engaging in any type of installment loan or other loan transaction related to the sale or purchase of a companion animal. Companies that do enter into such loans would have no right under state law to enforce the agreement.

The bill is aimed at puppy mills and disreputable breeding operations which profit by selling companion animals at exorbitant prices. Because of the high prices such fly-by-night operations often charge, many purchasers take out a loan or pay in installments. Without the ability to enter into loans, abusive and unethical breeding operations would become less profitable, helping to discourage breeding practices in which animals are abused.

“Most Illinoisans—most people—already would never patronize the sort of places whose behavior this bill is aimed at addressing,” Carroll said. “Sadly, there are still a few out there who don’t see animals as living creatures, who see them as ‘things’ that don’t think or feel, or whose wellbeing doesn’t matter. Some decent folks may be unaware of the persistence of unethical breeders or may not have realized the importance of due diligence when selecting a breeder. It’s my hope that those people will get informed and stop contributing to this problem. For the rest, for those who just don’t care, they’re the reason for this bill. Every life has value and companion animals deserve to be treated humanely and with love. I’ll always keep working to ensure that their interests are looked out for.”

Carroll’s office is reachable at 847-229-5499 or ma@repcarroll.com.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is notifying constituents of opportunities to obtain both financial aid as well as relief from college debt. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has released information on federal student loan forgiveness as well as loan forgiveness for those working in public service. ISAC also has financial aid options potentially available for even more people.

“Don’t leave significant potential savings on the table,” said Carroll. “There’s no reason not to take advantage of this opportunity to find out if you may qualify for relief.”

President Joe Biden recently issued an executive order making federal student loan borrowers eligible for up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness—or up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients—if their individual income is less than $125,000 per year. Applications are now available and must be completed no later than December 31, 2023. Borrowers may apply by visiting https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation.

In addition, borrowers who have made 120 qualifying student loan payments while working for an employer qualifying as “public service” may have their remaining balance forgiven. A limited waiver is available until October 31 expanding eligibility for payments under certain conditions. Borrowers may visit https://www.isac.org/pslf for more information.

Finally, all borrowers can apply for federal student aid via the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), which is available now.

“There is a limited time for borrowers to qualify for these valuable opportunities,” said Carroll. “Don’t wait. Check today to see if you can save yourself a lot of money on the cost of school.”

Carroll’s constituent service office is reachable at 847-229-5499 or ma@repcarroll.com.

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NORTHBROOK, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is sharing the news that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Council on Women and Girls are seeking applications from female-identifying and nonbinary high-school students to join the Council’s Girls’ Committee. The Council advises the Governor and the General Assembly on policy issues impacting women and girls in Illinois. Selected applicants would serve on the Council for a one-year term.

“This is a great opportunity for motivated young people who identify as female or nonbinary to make a difference in the lives of their peers living in Illinois,” Carroll said. “I encourage anyone who’s interested to apply.”

Applications are due no later than October 23. More information on the program and application process is available at https://isbe.submittable.com/submit/236836/.

Carroll’s constituent service office is reachable at 847-229-5499 or ma@repcarroll.com.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Following President Joe Biden’s July 8 executive order intended to protect access to abortion for millions of women in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling which overturned the 50-year precedent in Roe v. Wade, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is highlighting the order’s effects and reiterating his message that more needs to be done to protect women from authoritarian extremists.                                       

“This executive order is absolutely better than nothing, but the President is also absolutely right that the only real solution, long-term, is for leaders at all levels to step up and codify protections for the right to choose,” Carroll said.

Biden’s order takes a variety of steps, mostly involving privacy protections, to help safeguard the right to choose. Carroll and other lawmakers have argued that state governments, even in states where reproductive rights still remain intact, must do more.

Gov. JB Pritzker has pledged to call the Illinois General Assembly into special session to strengthen the state’s protections for reproductive choice. Carroll supports that move.

“Tough times call for tough action,” Carroll said. “Especially now, we cannot allow the ball to be dropped. Too much is at stake. The President is doing what he can with the powers the Constitution gives him, but it’s up to state officials to follow his lead and ensure that women remain equal to men before the law.”

Contact Carroll’s constituent service office at 847-229-5499 or email ma@repcarroll.com.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

“Today is a sad day in America. Elections have consequences and today’s decision by the Supreme Court, overturning 50-years of established precedent and stripping half of Americans of their fundamental right to self-ownership, proves it. Like many of you, I’m disgusted by this decision dictated by politics instead of unbiased legal logic. It is, frankly, a disgrace. This ruling will not deter women from seeking abortions but instead will force them into the back-alley ‘clinics’ of the past. We in Illinois have taken steps to protect women from the abuse that other states are heaping on them, and I am proud to say that we remain a pro-choice state, but more is needed. I’m proud of my pro-choice voting record and, as long as I’m in office, I will do everything in my power to protect reproductive health. This isn’t over.”

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, Chairperson of the state’s House Consumer Protection Committee, issued a statement following the ruling by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which banned the sale of ‘Juul’-branded e-cigarettes.

“Nicotine is an addictive chemical substance to which children should not be exposed. In recent years, lawmakers and regulators nationwide had successfully cracked down on the pernicious efforts by Big Tobacco to market their dangerous products to children and teens. But, with the advent of e-cigarettes, youth addiction once again skyrocketed. The FDA was absolutely correct to recognize the danger posed by addictive e-cigarettes to impressionable youth and to ban the sale of these products nationwide. I applaud this decision. Protecting children from unscrupulous corporations peddling harmful and addictive substances is a no-brainer.”

For more information call Rep. Carroll’s office at 847-229-5499 or email ma@repcarroll.com.