Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers look to ban food additives; state announces DCFS investment
By COLE LONGCOR
& ALEX ABBEDUTO
Capitol News Illinois
news@capitolnewsillinois.com
A bill in the Illinois General Assembly would ban five food additives in the state by 2027.
Senate Bill 2637, sponsored by Chicago Democrat Willie Preston, would ban companies from using certain products in food, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red Dye 3. Preston said titanium dioxide, a food coloring agent, will be added to the ban in a future amendment.
California passed a similar ban last year which will take effect in 2027. The European Union has already banned these additives. In 2021 the European Food Safety Authority cited concerns that ingesting titanium dioxide could potentially have damaging effects on a person’s DNA. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, categorizes potassium bromate and titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
“We in the state of Illinois will not allow these food additives that are putting … our children at stake to remain in the food supply,” Preston said during the news conference at the Health Lifestyle Hub in Chicago.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias also backed the bill. He said some of the health concerns stemming from ingestion of the substances include hyperactivity, nervous system damage, reproductive and hormonal issues, and an elevated risk of cancer.
“I can tell you with certainty what this bill does not do: It does not ban any products or brands. It does not take food off shelves,” Giannoulias said on Tuesday. “It will, however, encourage food manufacturers to update recipes using safer alternative ingredients that are already widely available and consumed in other places around the world.”
DCFS to fund new transitional housing facility for women
The Department of Children and Family Services announced Tuesday it will invest $3 million annually to help fund a transitional housing facility for young women in suburban Blue Island.
The UP House, short for Unlimited Potential, officially opened its transitional housing residence, “Logan’s Place,” on Tuesday. Young women between the ages of 17 ½ and 23 years old can apply for residence at UP House. Those who are admitted go through 24 months of residential programming designed to help transition into adulthood.
Once the 20 initial beds at Logan’s Place are filled, DCFS will give UP House $3 million annually to support the programming and housing it provides for its participants, Gov. JB Pritzker announced during a grand opening news conference.
Founder Tangela Thornton said she has been sheltering young women for several years in any open room she can find, whether it was in a family member’s house or her own. After purchasing the Mother of Sorrows Convent in Blue Island, “a seed sown in 2016” turned into a “149,000 square foot campus,” Thornton said.
Newcomers to the UP House will start in Logan’s Place and have access to recreation, theater and art rooms, educational resources through partnerships with local community colleges and a personal mentor, Pritzker said.
Thornton said the facility would like to expand its other unit, known as “Kumari’s Place,” which offers dorm-style living, further educational support and job readiness programs.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Local News
Red Stars’ Swanson, Naeher headed to Paris seeking gold
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Two Chicago Red Stars standouts are going to Paris to represent the U.S. in the Summer Olympics. Goalie Alyssa Naeher and forward Mallory Swanson have been named to the United States Women’s National Team. Naeher was on U.S. Olympic teams that played in Rio de Janeiro and 2016 and…
Laurie Markatos, Dylan Jacobs looking toward 2028 Summer Games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Laurie Markatos predicted there would be a “flood of tears” her first day on the job. Markatos, The Regional News and The Reporter’s Softball Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997 when she played for Stagg, is an assistant coach of the Greek National Softball Team, also known…
Township of Lyons donates $10,000 to help food pantries
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The Township of Lyons board was in a giving mood at its most recent meeting. The board approved sponsorships and donations totaling $12,250. The largest donation was $10,000. It went to the Greater Chicago Food Depository which runs 12 monthly mobile food pantries in the township each year. Supervisor Christopher…
Countryside zoning commissioner honored for 20 years on board
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch For the past 20 years, Tina Grotzke has had a say-so in every development that’s come to Countryside. Grotzke was appointed to another term on the city’s the plan commission zoning board of appeals during the city council’s meeting on June 12. Mayor Sean McDermott noted Grotzke’s two decades of…
Nuccio bids farewell to Indian Springs SD 109
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan After 25 years of serving the area, 22 of those at Indian Springs School District 109, Dr. Blair Nuccio is set to retire. Dr. Nuccio was the assistant superintendent at District 109 before becoming superintendent in July of 2017. Prior to that, he spent three years as the superintendent at…
A real knockout
Spread the loveLyons boy, 10, heads to boxing nationals By Steve Metsch Dario Lemus Jr., has yet to knock out an opponent in the boxing ring. Give him time. After all, the 10-year-old Lyons boy has only been boxing for 18 months. “I’ve dropped two kids, but not like a knockout,” Dario said with a…
New Middle Eastern coffee shop opens next to Bridgeview courthouse
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Coffee connoisseurs take heart, Bridgeview Court Plaza’s newest addition, The Qahwa, is now open. Prepare to be captivated by a truly unique Middle Eastern coffee experience, nestled in the heart of Bridgeview’s “Little Palestine.” The Qahwa, with its one-of-a-kind Middle Eastern coffee blends and inviting atmosphere, is a haven for…
Temps were hot, but golfers were cool
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . The weekend of June 22/23 started with temps in the 90s, a high humidity both days and the threat of rain loomed throughout the weekend as well. This is not unusual for the third week…
Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities
Spread the loveCelebrate Independence Day at the Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29! This cherished community event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to honor the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Parade will step off at 95th Street and Lacrosse and head west on 95th…
District 230 names Director of Safety and Security
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education approved Dr. Mary Pat Carr as the district’s first Director of Security. She will move from her current position as Assistant Principal of Activities at Stagg High School to the Administrative Center on July 1. Her duties as Director of Safety…
Neighbors
Oak Lawn Library draws a crowd with Fan Fest
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Comic book lovers gathered together in one common space earlier this month. Oak Lawn Public Library hosted its eighth annual Fan Fest, an all-ages celebration of pop culture, on May 11 at the library, 9427 S. Raymond Avenue. “It’s wonderful to see the community come together in celebration of shared…
Navajo Hills residents want to save threatened cul-de-sacs
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Navajo Hills greenspace islands could be getting the ax and residents are upset. Residents of the East and West Courts of Navajo Hills, aware of the historical significance of the greenspace, spoke up during the Palos Heights City Council meeting May 21. There are five cul-de-sacs in the Navajo Hills…
Summer concerts coming to Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam At the May 21 City Council meeting, Ald. Jeff Key shared exciting news about some of the summer activities coming to Palos Heights in the coming months. Key said the Concerts in the Park, a series of family-friendly events featuring live music, food vendors, and fun activities for all ages,…
Nerds and bullies among topics of Orland’s State of the Village
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The 2024 Orland Park State of the Village Address was held at the Orland Park Civic Center, but it could have been held on a playground with talk of nerds and bullies and cool kids. Mayor Keith Pekau spent the first half hour “ripping off the Band Aid” of some…
Boys Volleyball | Marist tops Jones, advances to state quarterfinals
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent For the first time since 2019, Marist will play in the IHSA state finals. The RedHawks (36-2) beat Jones, 25-13, 25-13, for their 17th straight victory and a Marist Sectional championship on May 28 in Mount Greenwood. They will face Payton in the state quarterfinals at 11:30 a.m. Friday,…
Little things make a big difference in West Lawn
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Thank you to all who make a positive difference in West Lawn. There are some who are putting enormous efforts into making our neighborhood better and safer. We often hear about these good people and all…
Daina Cyvas again pedals with a purpose
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . As I’m sure you remember, in past years, Daina Cyvas, the Communications and Project Coordinator for the Sisters of St. Casimir, has participated in Bike MS. in honor of one of her heroes, SSC Sister…
Folks urged to enter costume contest for La Grange Pet Parade
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch About 40,000 people are expected along the streets of downtown La Grange on Saturday morning June 1, with some of them dressing in costumes for the 78th annual La Grange Pet Parade. A costume contest has long been part of the parade, Molly Price, the parade’s executive director, said on…
Hodgkins breaks ground on new public works building
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Village of Hodgkins is getting ready to welcome a new public works office building at its facility off of 67th Street, east of East Avenue. Village officials and public works employees gathered last month for a groundbreaking. Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap explained the history behind the Paul G. Struve Public Works Building.…
