Mazzochi's Sterigenics Vote Criticized

CLARENDON HILLS, IL — The 47th House District in Illinois is typically GOP territory, but Elmhurst Republican Deanne Mazzochi narrowly won last time, giving Democrats hope they may grab this suburban turf. Jennifer Zordani, a Clarendon Hills Democrat, is set to face Mazzochi in the November general election. Both are lawyers.

In an interview, Zordani said she decided to run after Mazzochi twice voted present in this year's legislative session on bills that affect residents in the 47th District, which includes Elmhurst, Hinsdale and Western Springs, among other towns.

One of the bills in question, House Bill 3888, dealt with companies such as Sterigenics, which, until recently, was running two Willowbrook plants that emitted ethylene oxide, which is believed to cause cancer. The situation has alarmed residents in Willowbrook, Hinsdale, Darien, Burr Ridge and other communities.

Mazzochi supported House Bill 3885, which supporters called one of the toughest pieces of legislation nationwide dealing with ethylene oxide. It passed the House and Senate, both controlled by Democrats, and was signed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

"This legislation would not be possible without the grassroots support of the people in our communities surrounding Sterigenics," Mazzochi said in a June statement. "Their advocacy ensured this new law will be effective at protecting residents against EtO emissions and makes Illinois’ regulations the most comprehensive in the nation."

But Zordani noted Mazzochi voted present on House Bill 3888, which also dealt with ethylene oxide and Zordani maintained was stricter. The legislation was mainly pushed by Democrats.

Mazzochi did not return two calls for comment left at her legislative office. But Eleni Demertzis, spokeswoman for House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said House Bill 3885 was stronger than the Democratic bill because it lets home-rule municipalities ban the use of ethylene oxide within their boundaries.

When the Democratic legislation, HB 3888, died in a Senate committee, Durkin said in a statement that the bill he sponsored, House Bill 3885, was superior and would "essentially shut down polluters that are poisoning our communities."

Zordani said she did not understand why Mazzochi would vote present on an issue so crucial to the 47th District, rather than yes or no. Durkin voted present as well. Zordani said Mazzochi's vote sent a bad message for the district.

"Real people in the area fought the fight, not politicians. The people weren't looking for public attention, but they were concerned about their health and their property values," Zordani said. "3888 makes sure that facilities that emit ethylene oxide move away from populated areas. It makes sure those facilities are not located near residences, schools and populated areas."

Zordani added, "(Mazzochi) voted present. I find that plain wrong."

Zordani also took exception to Mazzochi's vote of present on a bipartisan bill that would have capped the quickly escalating price of insulin. The bill sailed through the House 100-13, with only Mazzochi voting present.

Mazzochi's neutral stance may have surprised other legislators, given she spoke out against the bill in floor debate.

According to Capitol News Illinois, Mazzochi warned the bill would only shift costs in the form of higher deductibles and premiums.

“The reason industry players are neutral on this bill is because they know it’s really not going to cut costs, it’s going to make a redistribution of costs. It’s going to shift them from one player to the other, but the players are still going to get paid,” she was quoted as saying.

Zordani disagreed, saying people are having to decide between groceries and medicine.

"This was a bipartisan bill, and (Mazzochi) doesn't vote for it," Zordani said. "She is using all the right buzzwords in Springfield, but she is not putting public safety first."

Under the bill, a person's out-of-pocket costs for insulin would be limited to $100 for a 30-day supply.

In 2018, Mazzochi prevailed over Democrat Jim Caffrey with 51.5 percent of the vote. She succeeded longtime Republican Rep. Patti Bellock, who served two decades before deciding to retire. Bellock ran unopposed in the last three elections and won with big victories before that.

Mazzochi's relatively narrow victory was despite the fact that she outspent Caffrey — $270,000 to $170,000, according to state Board of Elections records. The tight race may have been the result of Democratic gains in suburbs nationwide in the era of Donald Trump.