Murphy helps override veto of Tobacco 21

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy joined 35 Senate colleagues Wednesday in overriding Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Illinois to 21 years.

Senate Bill 2332 passed through both houses of the General Assembly in May, but was vetoed by the governor in August. The bill, popularly known as “Tobacco 21”, aims to help reduce the number of underage smokers and increase the overall health of people in Illinois by preventing anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 from purchasing or possessing tobacco problems.

“Smoking is one of the worst habits for young people to pick up,” said Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat. “The goal of this bill is to prevent and delay the onset of smoking. Studies have proven that if you can delay cigarette smoking until 21, you are likely to prevent young people from ever starting. Elk Grove Village and Hoffman Estates, two municipalities within my district, have already passed similar local measures and have seen promising results. I’m proud to have helped override this veto to make this law consistent throughout the entire state.”

The motion to override now moves over to the House of Representatives, where 71 votes in favor are required. Should it pass, the bill will become law and will be effective on January 1, 2019.  

Murphy urges public to voice concerns about Pace service cancellation

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy is urging area bus riders to voice their concerns about the possible cancellation of Saturday Pace bus service on a route that serves Des Plaines and Park Ridge.

The 209 Busse Highway route provides service to the Harlem Avenue station of the CTA Blue Line. Pace is considering cancelling the service on Saturdays no later than April 2019 because of budgetary restrictions.

“Many of the residents of my district rely on this route on Saturdays, especially disabled residents who might not have any other means of transportation” said Murphy (D – Des Plaines). “If Pace is considering cancelling it, then those who will be affected by the cancellation deserve to have their voices heard.”

Pace will discuss the potential cancellation at its monthly board meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 14. Those who wish to comment on the proposed changes are welcome to share their views by submitting written material on or before the date of the meeting by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by using Pace’s online form, https://bit.ly/2OdUK9a.

Individuals can also attend the regular board meeting to express their concerns in person as part of the board's public comment portion of their meeting.

>More information can be found on Murphy’s website, www.SenatorLauraMurphy.com, or by calling her district office at 847-718-1110.

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