State Representative Regan Deering of Decatur announced an important moment in her time at the Capitol, as the Governor has officially signed her first piece of legislation into law. The bill, known as Senate Bill 1288, is aimed at improving safety for people with celiac disease when they dine out. After guiding the measure through the legislative process, Deering expressed gratitude for the support it received and emphasized the importance of everyday protections that can make a big difference in people’s lives. 

The new law updates the ‘Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act,’ by requiring food handler licensees to complete training focused on celiac disease and the proper handling of gluten-free foods. The training will cover key topics including the symptoms and nature of the disease, the importance of keeping gluten-free foods uncontaminated, proper cleaning methods, and how to clearly label and identify gluten-free products.

Deering said this kind of legislation is exactly why she wanted to serve in Springfield, to help pass meaningful laws that may not make headlines but have real impact. Senate Bill 1288 was first introduced by Senator Sally Turner and initially passed with unanimous support in both chambers of the General Assembly. It now stands as the first bill backed by Representative Deering to be signed into law, marking a significant early achievement in her legislative work.

To learn more about the bill, visit www.ilga.gov. For additional questions or to contact Representative Deering’s office, call 217-876-1968 or visit www.repdeering.com.