Feb. 16 meeting addresses Renovation, Repair and Painting law

From press release

State Rep. Chuck Jefferson (D-Rockford) announced that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will be holding meetings around the state to inform the public of the new Renovation, Repair and Painting law that will go into effect this coming April.

The Rockford informational meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Moritz Banquet Room of the Holiday Inn-Hoffman House at 7550 E. State St. in Rockford. A representative from IDPH will facilitate the meeting.

“This new law is intended to protect children from lead poisoning,” Jefferson said. “The effects of lead are irreversible, and can cause birth defects, learning disabilities, kidney disease and other severe illnesses. Most children are exposed to lead poisoning through dust, which contains particles from lead-based paint on old homes, or in the dirt surrounding the old homes.”

Jefferson went on to explain that the new Renovation, Repair and Painting law requires contractors, property managers and others paid to replace windows or renovate residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Lead poisoning is a serious problem in Rockford, especially in the 61104 ZIP code, because we have so many historic homes that were built decades ago using lead paint, which was still legal at the time,” Jefferson said. “As state representative, safety is one of my top concerns. Reducing exposure to lead significantly decreases a serious health risk, and makes our community a better place to raise a family.”

In October, in recognition of National Lead Prevention month, Jefferson partnered with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Winnebago County Health Department to offer a Lead Prevention Seminar for families in the Rockford area. The seminar offered free testing for children, and prevention tips, such as consuming a nutrient-rich diet and testing backyard soil for lead content.

For more information, contact Jefferson’s full-time constituent service office at (815) 987-7433. For details about other meeting locations, call the Illinois Lead Program at (217) 782-3517.