East Central Reporter

Brad Halbrook, representative of Illinois House District 107, said that Democrats passed a bill that he believes endangers public health by granting the World Health Organization (WHO) greater authority than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in approving drugs.

"Another reckless Democrat bill just passed both chambers on party-line votes," said Halbrook, State Representative for 107th District (R), according to Facebook. "HB 3637 puts Illinoisans' health at risk by giving the foreign-controlled WHO more authority than our own FDA when it comes to drug approvals. We should never surrender our medical standards to unelected global bureaucrats. Illinois must put safety and sovereignty first."

Halbrook was referring to House Bill 3637, which amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The amendment allows the use of medications not approved by the FDA if they are recommended by the WHO. This provision applies even if a drug's labeling reflects a prior approval that is no longer in effect, provided it was accurate at the time of manufacture. A Senate amendment sets a sunset date of January 1, 2035, for this provision. The bill was sponsored by Representative Dagmar Avelar, a Democrat, and was first filed on February 7. It passed the House on April 7 and moved to the Senate on April 8, where Senator Karina Villa served as chief sponsor. It passed the Senate on May 22 and both chambers on May 30.

Screenshot of State Representative Brad Halbrook's June 4 Facebook post. | State Representative Brad Halbrook's Facebook page

According to WAND News, on May 14, the Senate Executive Committee advanced House Bill 3637 in an 8–4 vote, sending it to the full Senate for further consideration. The bill had previously passed the House in a 67–39 vote but required another vote due to a technical change. In addition to allowing the use of drugs no longer approved by the FDA if recommended by WHO, the bill also protects healthcare providers from disciplinary action for prescribing medication intended to induce abortion.

Representative Bill Hauter expressed his objections to Capitol News Illinois regarding what he sees as a risky practice established by relying on WHO recommendations to determine medication safety. "It’s not just for a small amount of drugs here; it’s for all the drugs," Hauter said.

Halbrook has been serving as a state representative since 2023. He previously served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from both the 102nd District (2017-2022) and the 110th District (2012-2015).