Right To Repair

Illinois PIRG coalition testifies in support of Right to Repair

Farmers, consumers and hospitals are joining together to call for one thing: the right to repair the things they own.

On Jan. 6, the coalition urged an Illinois House committee to pass Right to Repair legislation to end repair restrictions that manufacturers place on products including cell phones and tractors. Right to Repair legislation would ensure the owners of these products can fix them on their own or through independent repair technicians, rather than being forced to rely on the manufacturer.

Illinois households produce 429,000 tons of electronic waste per year, which adds toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium into state landfills. Illinois PIRG research has found that repair could save Illinois families $1.6 billion each year.

“Across the country, the Right to Repair movement is made up of a diverse, bipartisan and growing group of people,” said Illinois PIRG Director Abe Scarr. “What unites us is simple: we just want to fix our stuff.”

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Learn more about our Right to Repair campaign.

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Photo: The legislation would require that personal electronics, medical and farm equipment manufacturers provide access to repair materials at reasonable prices. Credit: Picasa 3.0 via Flickr, CC BY-2.0

Gina Goldenberg

Former Creative Associate, Editorial & Creative Team, The Public Interest Network

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