SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House of Representatives Monday approved a measure State Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) sponsored directing the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to comprehensively examine lead levels in Illinois’ drinking water supplies.
According to recent news reports, there are public water systems that have had tests showing lead levels exceeding federal standards. House Joint Resolution 153 directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study of lead in Illinois drinking water. The study would begin immediately and the IEPA will have to issue a comprehensive report no later than December 31, 2016.
“The situation in Flint, Michigan taught us that we have to take lead levels in our water systems seriously,” McSweeney said. “We do not want what happened in Flint to happen here. The only way we can solve this issue is to understand what is going on and just how widespread the problems really are.”
House Joint Resolution 153 passed the House by a vote of 111-1. The measure is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).
