103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4805
 
Introduced 2/6/2024, by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act
    Creates the Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Act. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2025, a person may not operate or sell at retail a gas-powered leaf blower in the State. Provides that a person who violates the Act's provisions is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500. Provides that a county or municipality may impose the penalty by citation or ticket and that the county or municipality may bring an action in the circuit court to enforce the collection of any monetary penalty imposed in the citation or ticket. Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR
 
HB4805LRB103 36336 AWJ 66435 b

1    AN ACT concerning safety.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 
5Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Act.
 
6    Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:
7        (1) gas-powered leaf blowers are detrimental to the 
8    health of the citizens of the State and the quality of the 
9    environment;
10        (2) 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines used in gas-powered 
11    leaf blowers emit exceedingly high rates of pollutants, 
12    including, but not limited to, carbon monoxide, nitrous 
13    oxides, and hydrocarbons;
14        (3) the chemical pollutants that gas-powered leaf 
15    blowers emit can contribute to smog formation and acid 
16    rain;
17        (4) gas-powered leaf blowers generate noise at a 
18    decibel level capable of causing hearing loss in a short 
19    amount of time; and
20        (5) gas-powered leaf blowers send dust and other small 
21    particles into the air for considerable distances, 
22    including, but not limited to, animal feces, trace 
23    quantities of heavy metals such as lead, and allergens 
 
 
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1    such as pollen and mold. 
 
2    Section 10. Definition. In this Act, "gas-powered leaf 
3blower" means a leaf blower that has a 2-stroke or 4-stroke 
4engine using gasoline or a gasoline and oil blend as fuel.
 
5    Section 15. Use or sale of gas-powered leaf blowers. On 
6and after January 1, 2025, a person may not operate or sell at 
7retail a gas-powered leaf blower in this State.
 
8    Section 20. Violation; enforcement.
9    (a) A person who violates Section 15 is subject to a civil 
10penalty not to exceed $500.
11    (b) A county or municipality may impose a penalty under 
12subsection (a) by citation or ticket. The county or 
13municipality may bring an action in the circuit court to 
14enforce the collection of any monetary penalty imposed in the 
15citation or ticket.
 
16    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
17becoming law.