Plastic recycling plan fails by one vote

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House Thursday narrowly rejected a proposal to create a statewide recycling program for plastic shopping bags based on an effort already going on in Lake County.

The plan would have bag manufacturers register with the state and create a recycling program that meets certain goals.

House lawmakers voted it down by a 70-46 vote. The plan needed 71 votes and could come up again in the next week.

“This is an industry-driven, private approach to a public policy problem,” said state Rep. Mike Tryon, a Crystal Lake Republican.

But opponents dislike a statewide plan, wanting to leave plastic bag controls — or even bans — up to local officials.

“I am afraid we are codifying failure,” said state Rep. Karen May, a Highland Park Democrat.