Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-050
Plastic bags – Violation – Penalty (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Definition: "Plastic bag" means a polyethylene bag, other than one used for food products weighing not more than five pounds, intended for household use which is larger than seven inches in diameter at the opened end, and is made of thin film less than one mil (0.001 inch) in thickness (according to standards established under the Commodity Standards Division of the United States Department of Commerce). No person shall package, deliver or sell any article for use in or around the household in a plastic bag, or shall sell or distribute any plastic bag for use in or around the household, unless the bag bears a warning against the hazard of suffocation by children in the following or substantially equivalent wording: WARNING: Keep this bag away from babies and children. Do not use in cribs, beds, carriages, or playpens. The thin film may cling to nose and mouth and prevent breathing. The warning shall be printed on, attached to, or accompany each bag; provided, however, that it shall be permissible to print the warning on the outside wrapper of packages of bags intended for home processing use only, e.g., freezer bags, garbage disposal bags, in lieu of on each individual bag. The warning shall be prominently and conspicuously displayed in bold-face type, in accordance with the following table: Total of the length and width of the bag, combined 60 inches or more.....24 points 40 inches, but less than 60 inches.....18 points 30 inches, but less than 40 inches.....14 points Less than 30 inches.....10 points Any person violating this section shall be fined $200.00 for each offense. (Prior code § 99-3.2)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-050 requires that thin-film plastic bags intended for household use carry a specific suffocation-hazard warning aimed at protecting children. The warning must appear in bold-face type sized according to the bag's dimensions, and must be printed on, attached to, or accompany each bag. Any person who packages, delivers, sells, or distributes such bags without the required warning is subject to a $200 fine per offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who provide plastic bags to tenants or residents—such as trash liners or moving supplies—should be aware that Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-050 applies to anyone who sells or distributes household plastic bags in Chicago. Compliant operators generally verify that any thin-film plastic bags they supply bear the required suffocation-hazard warning in the correct bold-face type size before distribution. Sourcing bags from suppliers who already meet the labeling standard is a common way operators stay in compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-050 establishes a consumer-protection requirement that household plastic bags carry a visible suffocation-hazard warning for children's safety. Tenants who receive plastic bags from a landlord or building management that lack this warning may have grounds to note a potential violation of this municipal code section. Tenant-rights organizations or the Chicago Department of Housing can be consulted for general information about how municipal code violations are reported or addressed.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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