Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business
Reese Hamsmith, Reese's Law

Bipartisan Bill sponsored by Congresswoman Kelly, Reese’s Law, passes in the House

Posted on July 28, 2022July 28, 2022 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Bipartisan Bill sponsored by Congresswoman Kelly, Reese’s Law, passes in the House
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Bipartisan Bill sponsored by Congresswoman Kelly, Reese’s Law, passes in the House

The consumer protection bill would create safety standards that prevent accidental ingestion of button batteries by children ages six and younger.

Bipartisan legislation co-led by Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) to protect children from ingesting button cell batteries called Reese’s Law was approved by the U.S. House.

Reese’s Law is named for Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old child who tragically passed away after ingesting a button cell battery.

“Today we take one step closer to protecting children from the terrible health risks of button and coin cell battery ingestion,” said Rep. Robin Kelly.

“Reese’s story is powerful. There are so many products in our homes that contain these batteries and could pose a danger to children. I’m a mother and a grandmother, so I know how quickly children can get ahold of small items like button batteries. Making simple changes in safety standards for products with these batteries could save a child’s life. I am so grateful to Trista for sharing her story and working to protect other children. I will keep working to make sure this legislation is brought to a vote in the Senate.”   

Reese Hamsmith, Reese's Law
Reese Hamsmith

 

“I am honored to partner with Trista Hamsmith — a West Texas mom on a mission — along with my colleagues, Robin Kelly and Ted Lieu, to introduce Reese’s Law, a bipartisan bill that will enhance safety measures for button batteries, which pose unique and significantly rising risks to young children. Passage of this legislation will save families from enduring the tragedy that the Hamsmith family experienced, and I am humbled to play a small role in Reese’s Purpose,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington.

 

“I’m pleased that the house passed Reese’s Law authored by Rep. Kelly,” Rep. Ted Lieu said. “I became involved in this issue after one of my constituents shared her own story about the terrifying experience her family suffered due to one of these small, unsecured button batteries. Her daughter was playing with a common children’s toy when a button battery fell out and her 16-month-old daughter swallowed it. This wonderful family endured every parent’s worst nightmare, with their baby in the ICU for a week and hospitalized for a month over the holidays. I feel very thankful to share that her 16-month-old survived—she is one of the lucky ones. I met the mother of Reese, who passed away after ingesting a button battery, last year and was in awe of her bravery and advocacy following her family’s tragedy. As a proud father of two, I am glad we could pass Reese’s Law to honor the families of those who have been injured or have died after ingesting button cell batteries and to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future. We did this in their memories, and to keep kids safe.”

The legislation was brought to Rep. Kelly’s attention by Reese’s mother, Trista Hamsmith following Reese’s death. Trista founded Reese’s Purpose, a non-profit organization founded to identify, advocate and correct safety issues impacting children and their families.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo

“Children’s safety is a nonpartisan issue and I’m grateful for today’s vote, one we have been working tirelessly for the past year and a half. I often talk about the plaque that was in Reese’s hospital room that read, ‘He has a plan and I have a purpose.’  Reese’s life was taken way too soon but her legacy will live on through this law so that no other family will have to suffer like ours,” said Trista Hamsmith. “Thanks to the efforts of Representative Kelly and her staff, as well as the support of Congressman Jodey Arrington, we are one step closer to protecting all children and families from the hidden dangers of button batteries through Reese’s Law.”

Button and coin batteries pose a dangerous risk to young children and infants, but products with these batteries lack proper safety standards. Swallowing button batteries can cause serious injuries for some children, especially if the battery becomes lodged in the esophagus.

This legislation will direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create safety standards that prevent accidental ingestion of button batteries by children ages six and younger.

Reese’s Law will require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to:

    • Create performance standards requiring the compartments of a consumer product containing button cell or coin batteries to be secured in order to prevent access by children who are six years of age or younger;
    • Require warning labels in literature accompanying the product, on the packaging, and directly on the product when practical so it is visible;
    • Require warning labels to clearly identify the hazard of ingestion;
    • Require warning labels that instruct consumers to keep new and used batteries out of the reach of children, and to seek immediate medical attention is a battery is ingested.

This legislation is endorsed by: Hallmark, the Toy Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Reports, Reese’s Purpose, Kids In Danger (KID), U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and the Consumer Federation of America.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations - October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” - October 8, 2025
NPV: 26
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Federal, Health, News Tags:California, Congress, consumer protection, Illinois, infant protection, Jodey Arrington, Reese Hamsmith, Reese's Law, Robin Kelly, small button batteries, Ted Lieu, Texas, Trista Hamsmith

Post navigation

Previous Post: Porfirio urges “full investigation” into reported racist rant of local official
Next Post: Orland Fire District will maintain “all services” despite delayed county tax collections

Related Posts

  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols
    Supporters host fundraiser for State Rep. Cyril Nichols Chicago
  • Fire Truck, Fire District. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
    Supporting Our Police: Statement from the Orland Fire Protection District Cook County
  • Lyons SD 103 improvements News
  • Suspect Giovanni A. Saldivar, 19, has been charged with two counts of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Aggravated Battery- Use of a Firearm, and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm in shooting a Cicero Police Officer who suffered serious injuries
    Gang member arrested in shooting of Cicero Police Officer Saturday Crime
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022
    Representative Cyril Nichols discusses legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans on Arab Radio Business
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Vallas urges probe in Lightfoot’s CPD scandal and accuses of Congressman Garcia of being AWOL from Chicagoland needs Chicago

More Related Articles

Tammy Wendt, candidate for Cook County Board of Review 1st District, Nov. 3, 2020. Courtesy of Tammy Wendt As mail-in votes are counted, Tammy Wendt surges to apparent victory over Dan Patlak in election upset Chicago
Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman Gorman announces candidacy to return to Cook County Board Cook County
Vote sticker from he 2020 election in Illinois Arab groups divided on Illinois 3rd Congressional District battle Chicago
Chicago Wolves Artyom Serikov courtesy of the Chicago Wolves Chicago Wolves defeat Rockford IceHogs at MetroCentre Chicago
house fire on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 by a neighbor who  noticed smoke coming from a house behind them in the 16800 block of 89th Ct. in Orland Hills. Neighbor alerts 911 on home fire, no injuries Cook County
Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights Incarcerated dad wins court order banning mother from relocating daughter to Georgia Chicago

Comment (1) on “Bipartisan Bill sponsored by Congresswoman Kelly, Reese’s Law, passes in the House”

  1. Pingback: In the News: August 1, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme