OAKBROOK TERRACE – Residents now must be 21 years old to buy tobacco products in Illinois.

State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) advocated for the passage of “Tobacco 21” (House Bill 345), which raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, prohibiting the purchase of alternative nicotine products, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products by individuals under the age of 21. The law is now in effect.

“The dangers of smoking are well-known, but young adults still had access to tobacco products,” Glowiak said. “This new law will help stop addiction at an early age to help save lives.”

In Illinois, 34 jurisdictions have raised the age, including Chicago, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, Evanston and Peoria. One of the key benefits to doing so have been documented decreases in the number of high schoolers who smoke. In Chicago, authorities recorded a drop from 13.6 percent in 2011 to 6 percent in 2017. Raising the age was cited as a key component of the decrease. Studies have found 90 percent of all adult smokers started when they were kids.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services it is estimated that each day approximately 2,100 youth and young adults who are occasional smokers become daily smokers.

“Stopping the cycle of addiction will protect our young adults from the numerous early and long-term negative effects of smoking such as early health disease, reductions in lung function, and growth and respiratory problems,” Glowiak said. “Raising the smoking age is a proven method to reduce smoking rates among our teens.”

This measure was supported by the DuPage County Health Department, American Lung Association in Illinois, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association along with many others.

LISLE – State Senator Suzy Glowiak is inviting seniors to her free Senior Fair in Lisle on Monday, July 15 at the Lisle Park District.

Glowiak (D-Western Springs) hopes area residents will take advantage of this helpful event to learn about resources available from local organizations and state agencies.

“Our goal is to connect local organizations, businesses and state agencies with seniors and caregivers to provide helpful resources and services,” Glowiak said. “This two-hour event serves as an opportunity for residents to gather and meet with these informational groups to exchange ideas and be educated on services they may not know are available.”

The event is free and open to the public.

“As a freshman senator, I look forward to meeting local residents, organizations and businesses across our district,” Glowiak said. “I urge you to stop by, say hi and meet these wonderful organizations that are working hard to provide our communities with much needed services.”

Date: Monday, July 15
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Lisle Park District (1925 Ohio St, Lisle)

For more information please call Glowiak’s office at (630) 785-3177.

GLEN ELLYN— Senator Suzy Glowiak is hosting her next Town Hall Tuesday in Glen Ellyn on July 2 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center.

This will be Glowiak’s third town hall meeting this summer.

"Part of being an elected official is listening to the concerns and answering the questions of the people I’m elected to represent,” Glowiak said. “We may not always agree, but I strive to host productive and respectful conversations to have meaningful discussions on policies that affect us all.”

Glowiak previously hosted town hall meetings in Elmhurst and Lombard. There will be an additional town hall Tuesday on July 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hinsdale Library (20 East Maple St., Hinsdale).

She recently completed her first legislative session in Springfield. The freshman Senator prioritized bipartisan legislation that protected the privacy of assault survivors, educated workers to help end human trafficking and fought youth homelessness in Illinois.

She’s sponsored Senate Bill 1810 which would eliminate the General Assembly Retirement System for future senators. Glowiak has declined to accept a pension.

“As legislators, it is our responsibility to be part of the solution,” Glowiak said.

Glowiak urges residents with questions or concerns to attend a town hall meeting or to call her office at (630) 785-3177 or visit www.SenatorSuzyGlowiak.com.

OAKBROOK TERRACE– Willowbrook residents will soon have regulations in place to address the public health crisis created by unsafe levels of the cancer-causing chemical ethylene oxide in the community’s air supply.

State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) partnered with State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) to pass a package of measures that will protect communities across the 24^th State Senate District. The measures were signed into law on Friday

“These bipartisan laws will not only ensure local residents are safe from this cancer-causing chemical, but also strengthen the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to do their job,” Glowiak said. “The residents of Willowbrook have been courageous advocates in the fight to protect all of us in DuPage County. I would like to thank them for their dedication to safeguarding our neighborhoods for generations to come.”

Glowiak applauded Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), Curran and State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) for fighting to safeguard not only Willowbrook but all of Illinois from this disastrous public health hazard.

“We need to be able to breathe,” Glowiak said. “The constant pollution from Sterigenics was stifling our ability to stay healthy. These new regulations will keep our families and loved ones safe. This is proof that if we all work together we can leave a positive impact on our communities.” 

The two measures take a multifaceted approach to address this health crisis:

Senate Bill 1852:

• Requires ethylene oxide sterilization facilities to reduce emissions by 99.9% or to 0.2 parts per million.
• Sets emissions, dispersion and ambient air testing protocols
• Strengthens Seal Order implications regarding ethylene oxide sterilization facilities and sets setback distances for the construction of future facilities near schools or parks.

Senate Bill 1854:

• Prohibits facilities that emit more than 150 pounds of ethylene oxide and that reside in a county with a population of at least 700,000 from operating unless the facility meets certain criteria outlined by IEPA.

Glowiak is looking forward to working with Curran to pass policies that keep the people of DuPage and Cook counties safe.