People before profits

Residents of Lake County have made some progress in the fight to end cancer-causing ethylene oxide emissions near our homes and schools. Thanks to the work of concerned residents, the Illinois legislature passed two bills, SB1852 and SB1854, that force companies to substantially reduce their emissions.

In the next legislative session, we will pursue further legislation to protect the health of our communities. In the last session, the chemical industry exercised its enormous influence behind the scenes, while Medline pursued a scorched Earth strategy by attempting to divide the community and deploying scientists for hire to bamboozle legislators with pseudoscience.

As citizens, we are powerless without legislative allies to turn our voice into votes. Those legislators take a great political risk by supporting their constituents against powerful lobbies, and we all owe a debt to their integrity and hard work on our behalf.

Continuing her advocacy, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood recently joined U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, other House allies, and Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin in sending a letter to the EPA criticizing their inaction on ethylene oxide emissions.

Melinda Bush has led the fight for clean air in the Illinois Senate. Joyce Mason, Rita Mayfield, and Sam Yingling have pushed hard for clean air in the House.

Unfortunately, politics today is largely driven by money. It is important we recognize politicians who go against this trend - who put people ahead of profits, and empower citizens, not cynicism.

Ryan Horath, Stop EtO in Lake County

Gurnee