ELPC along with our public health colleagues released a report on the public health and environmental benefits of proposed clean car legislation in Illinois (HB 3424).  The report, Breathing Free in Illinois: Reducing Air Pollution and Improving Health through Cleaner Cars, shows that, each year, the Illinois clean car standard would reduce pollution from vehicles by as much as 16% for “criteria” air pollutants and up to 21% for air toxics by the year 2030. 

These air quality improvements would prevent up to 250,000 lost school days and about 11% fewer premature deaths.  House Bill 3424 legislation would lead to significant reductions in harmful greenhouse gas pollution from cars that cause global warming. 

Illinois has one of the highest asthma death rates in the U.S., with hospitalization rates double the national average.  House Bill 3424 would be a positive step toward reducing our high rates of respiratory illnesses and reducing Illinois’ health care costs.  The report is based on analyses by Cambridge Systematics and Dr. Jonathan Levy, Sc.D., an Associate Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Download the report - Breathing Free in Illinois: Reducing Air Pollution and Improving Health through Cleaner Cars (pdf).