SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is celebrating a key step forward in improving public health and consumer safety after her legislation to increase transparency about health risks in cosmetology and barbering products passed the House.

“People have a right to know what kinds of products they’re being exposed to when they go to a salon or barbershop,” Harper said. “This helps them make informed decisions. Many clients and workers don’t fully realize the possible health risks linked to some chemical products used in routine beauty and grooming services. This legislation is focused on ensuring that clear, easy-to- understand information is available so people can make safer decisions for themselves and their loved ones.”

House Bill 3075 establishes the Illinois Health and Safety in Cosmetology and Barbering Products Disclosure Act. It basically requires salons and barbershops to clearly share information
about possible health risks linked to certain chemical products by posting it in their shops and giving customers a pamphlet to take home. The Illinois Department of Public Health will create the official notice and pamphlet and make them easy for businesses to download and use.

The Department will also make sure businesses are following the rules by doing inspections and monitoring compliance. If a business doesn’t follow the law, it would be considered a petty offense.

“Transparency saves lives and protects workers,” Harper said. “This legislation ensures that both customers and professionals in the industry have the information they need to stay safe and healthy. No one should be left in the dark about potential risks in products they use every day.”

The legislation now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL – Building on her ongoing efforts to strengthen local food systems and protect the state’s natural resources, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is celebrating the advancement of two of her sponsored bills that have passed committee. 

“Our farmers and our natural resources go hand in hand, and both deserve our support,” Harper said. “By helping farmers afford practices like cover crops, we’re improving soil and water, while also strengthening their businesses. At the same time, we’re making sure ginseng is protected.” 

House Bill 5512 would establish a new program through the Illinois Department of Agriculture to help farmers save money by offering crop insurance premium discounts for planting cover crops. These crops enhance soil health, reduce erosion, and support long-term farm sustainability. The measure also provides grants to local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and creates a dedicated fund to sustain the program.

House Bill 5021 strengthens the state’s Ginseng Harvesting Act by improving enforcement and accountability. It requires license holders to provide proof of licensure upon request, expands penalties to include attempted violations, and allows for more flexible license suspensions. The bill also authorizes the seizure of equipment used in illegal harvesting, with proceeds from any sales directed to the state’s Wildlife and Fish Fund.

“At the end of the day, it’s about taking care of our environment, supporting responsible growers, and ensuring these resources last for generations,” Harper said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance these measures.”

Both bills now move to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, has advanced several bills out of key legislative committees that promise to help usher in a cleaner, healthier and more equitable and sustainable future.

“I’ve spent my time in office focusing state resources on the problems of food access, equity and sustainability in agriculture, because our environment and our food are some of the most important and often overlooked or ignored facets of our health and wellbeing,” Harper said. “This session, I’m continuing the fight for a brighter future for every community in Illinois.”

Harper maneuvered several bills through the legislative committees responsible for sending approved bills to the House floor. Among these are:

• House Bill 4155, which would create an Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office to help the agricultural sector anticipate and respond to droughts and other climate-related events.
• House Bill 4295, which would designate additional law enforcement personnel to address the issue of missing and murdered women, which disproportionately impacts Black and other minority communities.
• House Bill 5052, which would create the Good Food Purchasing Program. This program would require state-owned facilities that purchase food to procure healthy foods that are sustainably, locally and equitably sourced.
• House Bill 5433, which would establish the Prairie Lawns Program to promote the installation of pollinator-friendly native plants in residential lawns, and prohibit homeowners’ associations and similar entities from banning these plants.

Harper’s bills remain in the House, awaiting votes by the full body.

“Securing a robust and healthy food supply into the future is about promoting resilience and stability in our approach to the agricultural economy,” Harper said. “Sometimes, it’s the seemingly small things that make a huge difference. My policy agenda this year is about ensuring that we’re doing everything we can to provide a solid launchpad for the next generation of Illinois farmers, families and communities.”

CHICAGO — State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is inviting area residents to a Community Healing Fair to be held Saturday, April 13 from noon until 4 p.m. at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, 6130 S. Wolcott Ave. in Chicago.

“Too often, our neighbors and loved ones suffer in silence with emotional and mental trauma,” Harper said. “This event is about shining a light on this issue and sharing the resources to help individuals, families and the community heal and move forward.”

“Lindblom Math and Science Academy is proud to be part of the 6th District. We’re honored to join forces with our esteemed alum, State Representative Harper, to organize the 2nd Annual Community Healing Fair,” said Starlet Banks, Principal of Lindblom Math and Science Academy. “This event reflects our school’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and holistic well-being within our community. We encourage all community members—within the 6th district and beyond—to participate in this empowering and uplifting event.”

The event is free, and will include on-site services, workshops and informational resources. All are welcome, including those seeking services for themselves as well as anyone concerned about a friend, family member, neighbor or coworker. Organizations partnering with Harper for the event include the Illinois Department of Human Services, Wood St. Collective, The Resurrection Project, Mobile Care Chicago, Metropolitan Family Services, Growing Home, Grow Greater Englewood, Aetna, and Kennedy-King College.

Those interested are encouraged, but not required, to register in advance via the QR code on the event flyer or by using the link on Rep. Harper’s Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/repsonyaharper.

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CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is encouraging residents to participate in the 7th annual Greater Englewood Unity Day on April 27th, an event to bring the Greater Englewood community together to clean up debris and litter and celebrate building stronger neighborhoods.

“Cleaning up and beautifying our communities is one way to show how much we care for them,” said Harper. “But a community clean up is not just about beautification, it’s also about decreasing the health and safety risks of improperly disposed of items.”

The 7th Annual Greater Englewood Unity Day takes place on Saturday, April 27 beginning at 9 a.m. with breakfast and supply pick up at the Jean Carter-Hill Community Garden located in front of Nicholson STEM Academy, 6006 S. Peoria Street. At 10 a.m. teams will dispatch throughout Greater Englewood to clean up debris and litter. Following the neighborhood clean up at 1 p.m., a unity celebration will take place at the Jean Carter-Hill Community Garden. Residents can order their own brooms, rakes and shovels from the city of Chicago by calling 3-1-1 by April 22. For more information, residents can contact Imagine Englewood If at info@imagineenglewoodif.org or 773-488-6704.

“We can celebrate our cherished communities by coming together to make sure the look of our neighborhoods reflects how much we care about them,” Harper added. “I highly encourage residents in Englewood to join family, friends and neighbors to help clean up our communities and then celebrate the building of stronger neighborhoods.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is hosting a New City/Back of the Yards Community Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 27 and is encouraging local residents to participate.

“Cleaning up and beautifying our neighborhoods is a simple way to help strengthen our communities,” Harper said. “By coming together to clean up debris and litter, we can help our neighborhoods reflect the beauty of our families and residents.”

Harper’s New City/Back of the Yards Community Clean Up Day is Saturday, April 27 beginning at 10 a.m., when volunteers will check in and pick up supplies at Port Ministries at 5013 S. Hermitage Ave. Following check in, volunteers will clean up debris, litter and perform beautification projects at several locations including 46th St. and Damen Ave., 51st Street and Laflin St. and at Hamline Elementary School, 4747 S. Bishop St.

Harper is partnering with several community organizations for the clean up including Increase the Peace, New City Supportive Living, the Peace and Education Coalition, Port Ministries and Precious Blood Ministries. Following the clean up, a neighborhood unity celebration will take place at Precious Blood Ministries, 5114 S. Elizabeth St., at 1 p.m. Volunteers or organizations interested in joining the clean up should reach contact Harper’s constituent service office at 773- 925-6580 or RepSonyaHarper@gmail.com.

“A community clean up is not just a time to beautify our neighborhoods, but a time to come together to celebrate the best of our communities,” added Harper. “I encourage residents in New City and Back of the Yards to join family, friends and neighbors to help beautify and clean up our neighborhoods and celebrate strong, united communities.