Illinois has no statewide straws-on-request law and Cook County imposes none. Restaurants may freely offer plastic straws to customers. A few Cook County suburbs encourage on-request distribution but no enforceable countywide rule exists.
Unlike California (AB 1884) or New York City, Illinois has not adopted a straws-on-request statute, and Cook County Code Ch. 30 contains no straw-distribution mandate. Restaurants in unincorporated Cook County and most suburbs may distribute plastic straws by default. Some Cook County home-rule suburbs (notably Evanston and parts of Chicago) have considered straws-on-request resolutions but have not passed binding ordinances. The Forest Preserve District prohibits single-use plastics at certain permitted events. Customers with disabilities retain ADA-protected access to flexible plastic straws regardless of any future restriction.
No countywide penalty applies. Forest Preserve District event violations may cost a permit holder $250 to $1,000 plus loss of future booking eligibility.
See how Arlington Heights's plastic straw rules rules stack up against other locations.
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