The American Lung Association has commended the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for incorporating significant lung health and clean air programs in the Fiscal Year 25 state budget, set to commence on July 1.
“We are thrilled to see significant commitments in the budget to lung health prevention and clean air programs,” said Kristina Hamilton, Illinois Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association. “These investments in lung health prevention programs and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure are critical to decrease lung-related diseases and secure a future with clean air for all in Illinois.”
The association highlighted key investments from Senate Bill 251 and House Bill 4959 that they support.
Chronic lung disease affects over 1.4 million residents of Illinois, including 160,000 children with asthma. Tobacco use results in approximately 18,000 deaths annually in the state, contributing to lung cancer remaining the leading cause of cancer deaths. The allocated state funds aim to improve lung health and prevent premature deaths.
These investments follow the American Lung Association's 25th annual State of the Air report for Illinois, which last month found five counties received failing grades for ozone pollution. The Chicago metro area ranked as the 17th worst nationally for unhealthy air quality days. Ozone pollution can lead to premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, and impaired cognitive functioning later in life.
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