Female Menstrual Products in ALL Restrooms? (HB 156)

Late in the morning, on the last day of the 2021 Spring Session, the Illinois Senate had a very short debate regarding HB 156. This proposal, if passed, would mandate that school districts make menstrual hygiene products available, at no cost to students, in each bathroom of every school building.

This preposterous bill passed the Illinois House by a vote of 68-43 on May 20th, and had 39 cosponsors. There were also 6 members of the House not voting on this proposal.

Thankfully, State Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) spoke up and asked some vital questions of the sponsor, Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). In response to those questions, Senator Villa withdrew her bill from the record.

Approximately 6 hours later, the bill was brought back before the Illinois Senate for debate and a vote. It passed by a vote of 39 to 17 with 3 members not voting on the proposal. State Senators Darren Bailey, Neal Anderson and Jason Plummer to ask questions and point to the bill’s absurdity.