Illinois poised to require lead testing in public schools, day care centers

Illinois public schools and licensed daycare facilities will be required to test drinking water for lead contamination under a major compromise reached by key stakeholders, parties involved in the deal told POLITICO Illinois. Long-running negotiations among environmental groups, lawmakers, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the governor’s office culminated in a compromise late last week, according to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office and the Illinois Environmental Council. Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council, told POLITICO that a compromise amendment is set to be added today to an existing bill — SB550 — after the bill’s expected release from the House Rules Committee. The agreed terms include a framework of the existing bill, pushed for months by Lisa Madigan’s office and others: schools built before the year 2000 that serve students fifth grade and younger, would be required to test for lead in all its drinking water sources, as well as sources of water used for cooking at the schools. Also, licensed day care centers would also be required to test water sources. A compromise effort ramped up by Rauner’s office since the veto session helped bring opponents on board, Walling said….please click to read the rest of the story from politico.com