Illinois Lawmaker Wants to Ban Parkinson’s-Causing Herbicide

With each passing week, it seems that regulators discover another work toxin. April of 2026 was no different, and the latest concern is a herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson’s disease. If you have been exposed to this toxin as a result of your employment, consider speaking with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Illinois about your legal options.

Farmers Push Back to Keep Allegedly Toxic Herbicide in Use

On April 30th, 2026, WAND News reported that Illinois lawmakers were working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to ban the allegedly toxic herbicide called paraquat. The chemical is already illegal in 70 countries, including China and the European Union. Interestingly, China does not allow the product on its own soil but sells it to farmers in the United States.

Representatives from the Michael J. Fox Foundation say that handling paraquat as a farmer or agricultural worker increases your chances of developing Parkinson’s disease by 250 percent. Advocates also warn that simply living near a farm that uses this chemical could also make you vulnerable to Parkinson’s.

For those who don’t know, Parkinson’s is a crippling neurological disorder that gradually leads to muscle tremors, stiffness, and cognitive decline. Eventually, the patient becomes confined to a wheelchair and loses control over their body.

Farmers in Illinois say there is not enough hard science linking paraquat to the disease. They say that lawmakers have been trying to ban the substance for decades, and these efforts have failed because of “disputed science.”

In response, Senator Laura Ellman has pointed out that lab researchers use paraquat to trigger Parkinson’s in lab rats. The substance is so reliable at creating Parkinson’s that it has gained the nickname “Parkinson’s Pesticide.”

Should You See a Doctor if You Have Been Exposed to Paraquat?

Yes, you should seek medical attention if you have handled paraquat in the past. This issue is extremely common for agricultural workers, and you may have had no idea what you were handling at the time. Even if your exposure occurred many years ago, you should still ask your doctors to carry out testing to see if you may be at risk for Parkinson’s.

Specialized testing may help detect the early-stage signs of Parkinson’s, and this may give you time to take effective, early steps. You may be eligible to file a workers’ comp claim or even a direct lawsuit against your employer. A lawsuit against the herbicide manufacturer could also be possible.

Can an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me? 

If you were exposed to paraquat on the job, you may need to request immediate testing from your healthcare providers. If you’re concerned about the cost of this testing, consider a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois. While you can probably file your claim regardless of when your initial exposure occurred, it makes sense to take action sooner rather than later. Contact Connolly Injury Law today at 312-584-9722 for further guidance.

Sources: 

illinoissenatedemocrats.com/caucus-news/27-senator-laura-ellman-news/6796-ellman-proposes-plan-to-ban-toxic-herbicide-linked-to-parkinsons-disease

wandtv.com/news/statehouse/il-lawmakers-michael-j-fox-foundation-push-for-statewide-paraquat-ban/article_27df4500-3af6-4af3-bdda-25e9793e01c0.html