Carbondale Reporter

State Representative Paul Jacobs commented on a new law that will prevent hotels from stocking rooms with single-use toiletries, saying, "Illinois businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, are still struggling to recover from pandemic losses," in a Sept. 4 Facebook post.

"Illinois businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, are still struggling to recover from pandemic losses," said Jacobs, according to Facebook. "Instead of helping businesses thrive, Democrats heap on the regulations."

In his Facebook post, Jacobs shared a link to an Illinois Policy article about a new ban on mini single-use toiletries at hotels, beginning July 1, 2025. According to the article, the law will go into effect for hotels with more than 50 rooms starting July 1, 2025. Hotels with fewer than 50 rooms will have to comply by Jan. 1, 2026.

Screenshot of State Rep. Paul Jacobs' Sept. 4 Facebook post. | State Representative Paul Jacobs' Facebook page

A report on the new law from WGN 9 notes that the Small Plastic Bottle Act defines personal care products as shampoo, hair conditioner, and bath soap to be used in the shower. The bottles under six ounces are the small plastic single-use bottles in question. The WGN article also states that hotels may still provide personal care products in single-use plastic bottles at no charge to a person but only on request at a place other than a room or a public bathroom. State hotels will be expected to transition to refillable containers.

The Illinois Legislative General Assembly webpage focused on Senate Bill 2960 notes that Sen. Laura Fine was the chief sponsor of the bill in the Senate and filed it on Jan. 31, 2024. It passed the Senate on April 10. In the House of Representatives, Nicholas K. Smith was the chief sponsor of the bill, which had its first reading on April 11 and passed both houses on May 24. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it on Aug. 9. The bill sets a business offense with a fee of not more than $1,500 for a second offense.

Jacobs was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020. Before joining the Illinois legislature, he was an optometrist and owner of Von Jakob Vineyard in Alto Pass. He served in the US Navy from 1965 to 1971. He and his wife have four grown children and ten grandchildren.