Illinois’ Lead Problems
Lead exposure is a serious environmental and public health issue in Illinois. While lead has been removed from many products and uses over the years, Illinois still faces significant challenges because of its aging housing and water infrastructure. The problem is particularly important for children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure.
One major source of lead exposure is older housing. Lead-based paint was widely used in homes before it was banned for residential use in 1978. As older paint deteriorates, it can create lead dust and paint chips that children may come into contact with.
Lead in drinking water is another major concern. Lead service lines are pipes that connect buildings to public water systems, and they can release lead into drinking water especially when water in those pipes remains stagnant. Illinois has a particularly large number of these aging pipes. According to the Illinois EPA, water systems reported 667,275 lead service lines in their 2020 inventories1. IDPH has also reported that Illinois water systems identified hundreds of thousands of lead service lines.
The scale of childhood lead exposure demonstrates why the issue remains important. In 2024, Illinois tested more than 200,000 children, and the state's surveillance data identified 5,900 children with blood lead levels of at least 5 micrograms per deciliter in the reported testing data2. Illinois has responded by strengthening its approach to testing and intervention. Beginning July 1, 2026, childhood blood lead testing became universal under Illinois law, with required testing at 9–12 months and again at 24 months3.
Illinois has also taken steps to address lead service lines. The Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act requires water systems to inventory their service lines and develop replacement plans4. The law is intended to move the state toward removing lead pipes from drinking-water systems rather than simply monitoring the problem.
Illinois’ experience shows that lead exposure is not simply a problem of the past. Old buildings, contaminated paint, and aging water infrastructure continue to create risks today. Government surveillance, universal childhood testing, lead abatement, and replacement of lead service lines are important parts of addressing the problem. For Illinois communities, understanding where lead exposure occurs is an essential first step toward preventing it and protecting children's health.
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