HR1200 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1200 LRB100 22698 MST 41678 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois values the health of its waterways and coastal areas, as well as the oceans and coasts of the United States; and

WHEREAS, The United States is a global leader in protecting its oceans and coasts and providing an enjoyable environment for the recreation of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the health of the planet's oceans, waterways, and coastal environments; and

WHEREAS, Plastic straws pose a health risk to ocean wildlife when ingested; and

WHEREAS, Plastic straws are frequently littered or dropped by individuals, escape from waste management systems, and can get deposited onto the beach and washed into storm drains, streams, rivers, and eventually the ocean; and

WHEREAS, Reducing consumption of plastic straws can help decrease plastic pollution in the ocean and the United States coastal environment; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing the negative environmental impact of plastic straws, many restaurants and other establishments in Illinois and around the United States have voluntarily stopped providing plastic straws; and

WHEREAS, Customers should be encouraged to make informed choices when considering ways to reduce their impact on the environment; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scout Shelby O'Neil has founded the Jr Ocean Guardians to raise awareness of the problem of ocean plastic and to reduce pollution from straws by starting the "No Straw November" initiative, during which participants pledge to refuse straws for the month of November; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare November of 2018 as "No Straw November" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Governor Rauner, the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and Shelby O'Neil.