PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION ACT
SB1872 creates the Single-Use Plastic Bag Reduction Act, a new state law that would prohibit retail mercantile establishments from providing single-use checkout bags to consumers at the point of sale beginning July 1, 2026. Retailers could still offer recycled paper bags or reusable bags, and the bill defines those terms, along with several exemptions for specific types of bags used for produce, bulk goods, frozen foods, prescription drugs, restaurant carryout, online orders, and certain other uses.
The bill also requires retailers that offer recycled paper bags to charge a minimum fee of $0.10 per bag, with the fee retained by the retailer and generally usable for any lawful purpose. It exempts bags used for SNAP, WIC, or similar food assistance purchases, requires signage and educational materials about the bag ban and fee, and authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to inspect, investigate complaints, issue warnings, and assess civil penalties for repeat violations. The bill further limits local home rule authority by reserving audit power over plastic bag-related taxes and fees to the state.
If enacted, SB1872 would add a new statewide regulatory framework governing checkout bags at retail stores in Illinois and would preempt local governments from conducting certain financial audits related to plastic bag provision. It would directly affect retail mercantile establishments, especially stores that currently provide single-use plastic checkout bags, while excluding restaurants and small retail mercantile establishments as defined in the bill. It would also create new compliance obligations for signage, fee collection, and recordkeeping, and would route penalties into the Environmental Protection Trust Fund.
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as an environmental and waste-reduction policy with a clear regulatory approach rather than a bipartisan compromise. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, so no formal legislative sentiment can be measured from debate or roll call history. The bill’s structure suggests support for reducing plastic bag use and encouraging reusable alternatives, while also trying to preserve retailer flexibility through a paper-bag option and exemptions for certain uses.
The most likely points of contention are the prohibition on single-use checkout bags, the mandatory minimum 10-cent fee for recycled paper bags, and the bill’s limits on home rule authority. Retailers may object to the added cost, administrative burden, and state enforcement provisions, while local governments may object to the restriction on municipal audits. The bill also draws a line between large retail mercantile establishments and smaller businesses or restaurants, which could be a point of debate over fairness and economic impact.