Illinois State House District 81 issued the following announcement on July 19
Sterigenics Update:
This morning I called the Governor’s office to get the ball rolling on working to introduce a bill that closes the loopholes created by (R) Leader Durkin’s legislation, which Durkin indicated he is unwilling to do himself (per his latest comment, below).
The lack of accountability he has for the re-opening alarms me. Our families, friends, and neighbors lives should not continue to be risked and I will do everything I can to ensure safety for our community.
For those who need more background:
- Sterigenics currently has a path to reopening, despite no level of EtO emissions being proven safe
- Statement from Gov. Pritzker:
“Leader Durkin and other local leaders in the General Assembly were the drafters of Senate Bill 1852, the legislation that imposes the strongest controls on ethylene oxide in the nation. My office made it clear to the legislators that I was – and remain – willing to sign the strongest possible legislation that they can pass. I share the community’s concerns and their health and safety is my top priority. This morning, I spoke with Leader Durkin and I emphasized, based on conversations with the Attorney General, the potential danger to the health and safety of the residents of Willowbrook involved in further litigation, which would not have achieved the same level of protection as the consent order.
Leader Durkin seemed to indicate that there were deficiencies in the legislation written by himself and other local leaders in the General Assembly that helped inform the consent order. At this time, the only option remaining is for Leader Durkin to propose new legislation that will fix the perceived shortcomings of the legislation that he sponsored and worked to pass. I made it clear to Leader Durkin this morning that, if he requests it, I will call a special session of the legislature to allow for an immediate vote on a bill that is constitutional and will fix the perceived shortcomings of the legislation he previously sponsored.”
- (R) Leader Durkin’s latest statement: “As I told Gov. Pritzker today, the legislation supported by the Illinois Environmental Council is not the problem. Unfortunately, Gov. Pritzker and his regulators are willing to fast track the reopening of Sterigenics by entering into a settlement agreement with the corporate polluter to lift the seal order. If the Governor is not happy with the legislation he signed into law, I recommend he introduce his own legislation in the General Assembly and call a special session to take it up for consideration.
I stand by my legislation which was signed into law by the Governor.”
Original source can be found here.
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