City Officials and Community Partners Unveil $12M Program to Protect Kids

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A new program to reduce childhood lead poisoning will make more than $12 million available over the next two years to replace windows and address other lead hazards in approximately 2,000 affordable rental units or apartments with 4 or more units. Click here for more information on the new program.

A different program may be available if you have less than 4 units in your building. Click for an application.

GOV SIGNS LAW TO PILOT LEAD PREVENTION PROGRAM

August 28th Governor Blagojevich signed into law P.A. 95-0492. The law establishes, subject to appropriation, two pilot sites to inaugurate the CLEAR-WIN program, a window replacement program for low-income properties to address lead hazards. Advocates are seeking state dollars to implement the law.

ILLINOIS' 2006 LEAD LAW FOCUSES ON PREVENTION

Governor Blagojevich signed the new Lead Poisoning Prevention Act in June of 2006. The law places new requirements on landlords, realtors, daycare providers, and hardware stores. Click here for more information on what the law requires.

CITY COUNCIL PASSES NEW LEAD ORDINANCE

The Chicago City Council passed revisions to Chicago's Lead Ordinance, increasing protections for Chicago's children, in December of 2006. To view the ordinance, click here.

RECENT RESOURCES

Lead in Toys: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides resource information to help parents and families protect their children in response to recent recalls of milliions of toys and lead exposure warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Childhood Lead Poisoning Resource Guide for Parents and Advocates is available now. Click here to view.

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Illinois leads the nation in the number of children identified as lead poisoned—more than 16,000 in 2002 alone.

The Illinois Department of Public Health estimates that more than 81,000 children are being harmed by lead, based on recent research regarding the impact of lead on children's development.

Lead poisoning in children can cause irreversible brain damage, and even at very low levels can lead to:

  • Learning disabilities, such as speech and language disorders.
  • Behavioral problems, such as aggression and hyperactivity.
  • Delinquency and criminal behavior.
  • Lead poisoning is entirely preventable

For more information about lead poisoning statistics, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health.