HJ0025 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

Whereas, Each year, some adults intentionally ingest antifreeze to commit suicide and children are accidentally exposed to antifreeze that is left unattended or in open containers; and

Whereas, Pets and other animals can die from mistakenly ingesting antifreeze that has leaked, spilled, or is carelessly left in improperly secured containers in the garage or driveway; and

Whereas, The National Safety Council, the American Medical Association, and the American Association of Poison Control Centers have noted that the addition of a nontoxic bittering agent can make antifreeze so unpalatable that adults, children, and animals will reject such products upon tasting them, preventing injury or death; and

Whereas, Legislation has been introduced in the United States Congress to require the inclusion of denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million as a bittering agent to any engine coolant or antifreeze that contains more than 10% ethylene glycol; and

Whereas, The Doris Day Animal League, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Society for Animal Protective Legislation, the Pet Food Institute, the United States Conference of Mayors, the Consumer Specialty Products Association, and the retail antifreeze industry have endorsed this legislation with the goal of protecting consumers and animals; and

Whereas, The State of Illinois supports protecting the health and safety of adults, children, and animals through the inclusion of a bittering agent in ethylene glycol-based antifreeze; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the United States Congress to help protect adults, children, and animals by enacting legislation to require denatonium benzoate be added to antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the Illinois congressional delegation to help protect adults, children, and animals by supporting the passage of this legislation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Illinois General Assembly urges the President of the United States to advance this legislation this year to help protect adults, children, and animals; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be presented to the President of the United States and each member of the Illinois Congressional delegation.