I introduced a resolution opposing British Petroleum's (BP) plan to increase by millions of gallons a day the amount of toxic chemicals and waste the petroleum company dumps into Lake Michigan. The giant oil corporation dodged Indiana's clean water restrictions and will increase dumping by 2011.

We have been working for years to clean up Lake Michigan, a crucial source of drinking water and recreation for the residents of northeastern Illinois. This is the first time in the past several years that a Great Lakes state has actually approved an increase in pollution to our lake water.

BP's Whiting, Indiana oil refinery, already one of the largest polluters along the Great Lakes, received approval to release 54 percent more ammonia, which causes algae blooms that can kill fish and wildlife, and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan each day. Industrial sludge is full of concentrated heavy metals. Heavy metals, like mercury, can affect development in infants and young children. Indiana touts the refinery expansion as a jobs creation program for their state. The project is expected to create only 80 new jobs, and contrary to standard practice among Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces, Indiana did not consult with or notify other states who share borders with Lake Michigan.

I introduced House Resolution 620 to oppose the planned expansion of the Whiting BP oil refinery and urge federal elected officials and the Environmental Protection Agency to restrict BP's ability to dump more toxins into Lake Michigan. I will also introduce a similar resolution with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) to oppose the increased dumping and urge the national organization to help pressure the federal government to oppose BP's plans. NCSL holds its annual conference at the beginning of August, which I will attend representing Illinois as a member of the Environment Committee.

After the years of hard work and dedication of leaders in the Chicagoland area and throughout the Great Lakes Region to clean up the lake, this comes as a shock and outrage. BP markets itself as an environmentally friendly energy producer, but don't let that fool you.

The City of Highland Park has conducted research to test the efficacy of surgical sterilization of female white- tailed deer as an alternative strategy to lethal culling of deer and has found its method to be effective in controlling the deer population. I passed House Bill 3425 giving municipalities the opportunity to continue to implement alternative methods of managing the deer population. To insure the method provides sustainable deer populations, the Department of Natural Resources will continue to monitor deer counts in the city.

Lake Forest raised the issue that current law was unclear as it related to a municipality's right to enact design review ordinances for construction projects. The lack of clarity meant that local government had to go to court to defend its rights, thus costing tax payers. I was the Chief House Sponsor of Senate Bill 382 that passed both houses. Municipalities may now establish local standards for the review of the exterior design of buildings and most structures, much like they established standards for historic preservation.

Preventive health care and screening are critical to reducing rising health care costs. House Bill 2285, which I passed, provides for office visits for colorectal and prostate cancer screenings, mammograms, and pap smears for participants in the state CHIP program. Two years ago Illinois mandated contraception coverage for private insurance plans. This bill extends contraception coverage to CHIP participants also.

Our landscapers typically take their loads to a local transfer station where the waste is ground and then, within 24 hours, hauled to a landscape waste facility. Reducing the volume reduces the number of truck loads required to haul the waste to a facility. A Lake Bluff transfer station which has been in business for years grinding landscape waste relocated across the street. The relocation triggered a new interpretation under the Environmental Protection Act requiring a lengthy process to obtain a permit. Senator Susan Garrett and I passed Senate Bill 126 that would exempt a transfer station used exclusively for landscape waste. I am pleased that this bill is going to the Governor for his signature.

This year I passed two bills which are aimed at improving the health and development of children. The first, House Bill 943, bans the sale and distribution of medical devices that contain mercury and the second, Senate Bill 1241, prohibits the installation or sale of thermostats containing mercury. Blood pressure cuffs and other medical devices, as well as thermostats, are burned or broken when disposed of by traditional methods, allowing mercury to be released into the environment.

Please bring your thermometers and thermostats which contain mercury for appropriate, safe disposal to SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Disposal events in your community. You can access SWALCO's calendar at www.co.lake.il.u s/swalco

In addition to the mercury bills, my House Bill 895, The Green Cleaning Schools Act, will also go to the Governor for his signature. This Act will require all elementary and secondary schools in Illinois to purchase environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies that do not expose students and teachers to harmful chemicals.

In my April newsletter I wrote about my House Bill 691, banning the practice of prescribing medications over the internet without a medical consultation. I am also proud of House Bill 813 which creates a cancer-drug repository allowing cancer patients or their families to donate unused prescription drugs back to a pharmacy. The pharmacies who voluntarily participate in the program will make the medication available to needy eligible cancer patients with a prescription for the drug.

It is illegal to serve a minor alcohol. While that law has not changed, the consequences of a violation have. When a violation directly or indirectly results in great bodily harm or death, the parent or guardian violating the provision will now be guilty of a felony. Senator Susan Garrett and I are extremely pleased that our legislation, Senate Bill 158, passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his signature.

You may have heard the term "Alcopop" which describes bottled alcoholic beverages that resemble soft drinks and lemonade. These drinks tend to be sweet and served in small bottles and can be attractive to minors. I was chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1625 prohibiting the advertising, promotion, or marketing of alcopop beverages to children. I am pleased that this bill passed both houses as well.

Friday, August 10, I am organizing a field trip to the Field Museum to view the CoolGlobes exhibit. CoolGlobes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet is an innovative public art project comprised of 124 extraordinary globes designed to create awareness and inspire practical solutions to global warming.

I have arranged for a 45 minute tour led by one of the Field Museum docents. Highland Parker Wendy Abrams, who was the inspiration for this exhibit, will be joining us. We will take the Metra downtown from the Highland Park train station around 9:30 and return in the early afternoon. The Chicago Trolley will take us to the Field Museum. The only costs should be transportation and box lunch. If you are interested in attending, please call my office at 847-433-9100.

You can visit the CoolGlobes website at www.coolglobes.org