SPRINGFIELD—A new law will help ensure disadvantaged communities will have clean drinking water.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) is the sponsor of a plan that requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to prioritize a portion of water infrastructure funding for low-income areas for five years to provide sustainable and equitable water management.

“People of all communities in Illinois should be able to turn on their faucet and find clean water,” Sims said. “With this new law, we are making sure that the water infrastructure in struggling communities is not underfunded.”

The bill also allows assistance to be used for a variety of research and improvement options, including water rate studies, training activities and aid for replacement of lead services lines.

“What we are doing is preventing a crisis like the one we saw in Flint,” Sims said. “I thank the governor and my colleagues for supporting this legislation that puts the health and well-being of all Illinoisans first.”

House Bill 2650 was signed into law today. It is effective immediately.