SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading the charge with legislation that would bolster lead service line replacements in Illinois.
“Lead service lines are a health hazard, putting people at risk for lead poisoning and contributing to cardiovascular, kidney and reproductive issues,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With roughly 400,000 lead service lines across Chicago alone, it is imperative we work to combat the risks these service lines pose to our neighbors and ensure they are replaced in a timely manner.”
In April 2014, a switch in the municipal water supply source in Flint, Michigan caused water distribution pipes to corrode and leach lead and other contaminants into local drinking water. Residents started experiencing and reporting negative health and behavioral effects from lead exposure in their water, leading to local, state and national leaders declaring a state of emergency for the area.
In an effort to prevent potential health risks for residents in Illinois, which is in the process of replacing hundreds of thousands of lead service lines, Villivalam is sponsoring Senate Bill 4025 to enable utility companies and their contractors to accelerate the replacement of lead and hazardous service lines.
To achieve this, the measure would break down barriers that delay lead service line replacement by ensuring utility companies and contractors are able to access service lines located on private property – at no cost to the property owner. In addition, the measure would expand who can authorize and perform these replacements.
“We appreciate Senator Villivalam’s leadership in working with the Illinois Municipal League to make this legislation applicable statewide” said Kaitlyn Mitchum, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the Illinois Municipal League. “Senate Bill 4025 is an important step forward for municipalities across Illinois ensuring that when communities are investing public resources to fully replace lead service lines at no cost to residents, those projects can move forward without unnecessary delays. Full lead service line replacement is critical to protecting public health, and this change helps ensure that effort is not stalled by access barriers.”
Senate Bill 4025 passed the Senate on Thursday.
