Take Action on Single-Use Plastic in Illinois: What You Can Do in 10 Minutes

By Wendy Vernon

Plastic pollution and the health impacts of microplastics are deeply concerning, yet taking action doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Even 10 minutes can make a real difference when it comes to influencing state policy. The 2026 Illinois General Assembly spring session runs from January through May 2026, a critical window for action. State legislators pay close attention to what they hear from constituents. A quick phone call or email helps them understand which issues matter to you, and repeated outreach builds momentum for change.

Step 1 (3 minutes): Find Your State Legislators

1. Go to the Find My Legislator page of the Illinois General Assembly website:
   https://www.ilga.gov/members/FindMyLegislator
2. Type your address into the box labeled “Search Illinois” located right above the Show Senate and Show House check boxes on the right side of the screen.
3. Make sure the Show Senate and Show House check boxes remain checked.
4. As you type, your full address will appear underneath the box. Click on it.
5. Your Illinois State Senator and State Representative will appear underneath the check boxes.
6. Click on their pictures to see their contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses.

Step 2 (5 minutes): Call or Email Your Legislators

Your message doesn’t need to be long; it just needs to be clear and sincere.

Plastic reduction legislation can face strong opposition from the chemical and fossil fuel industries, which is why constituent voices are so important. Let your legislators know that you support policies that reduce single-use plastic for environmental and health reasons, while also helping communities and businesses cut unnecessary waste. 

Here are a few practical, common-sense bills you can advocate for right now:

• SB 1531 – Polystyrene Foam Foodware Ban
  Phases out polystyrene foam foodware statewide by January 1, 2030. Polystyrene foam foodware contains styrene, a possible carcinogen that can leach into hot, acidic, or high‑fat foods, and it is not recyclable. The bill has passed the Senate and now needs approval in the House, so contacting your State Representative is especially important.
• HB 1600 – “Skip the Stuff”
  Requires restaurants to provide single-use plastic disposable foodware only upon request. This approach would save restaurants money and reduce unnecessary waste from items you didn’t ask for. The bill has passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate, making outreach to your State Senator especially impactful.
• SB 1872 – Plastic Bag Ban
  Supports legislation that would prohibit retail establishments from providing single-use plastic checkout bags. Reusable bags are easy to use, and many retailers already encourage them. According to Environment America’s Single-use Plastic Bag Ban Waste Reduction Calculator, a statewide plastic bag ban in Illinois could prevent 3.7 billion plastic bags from polluting the environment each year.

If you want to take an extra step, check how your representative or senator has acted on these bills. If they have sponsored, co-sponsored, or voted for them, don’t forget to thank them. Thanking legislators reinforces that constituent voices matter, encourages them to continue supporting environmental and public health policies, and builds goodwill for future advocacy.

Step 3 (2 minutes): Multiply Your Impact

Share this action with a friend or family member, or spread the word on social media. Even a quick share helps spread awareness and lets more people take action.

Legislators were elected to represent you, and hearing from constituents is one of the most powerful ways to influence policy. Ten minutes today can help reduce plastic pollution for years to come.