Illinois | Environmental Law Institute

Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch. 420, §§ 52/1 et seq.

Requires that all new residential construction include passive radon-resistant construction techniques. Provides that installation of active radon mitigation systems, including installation of a radon vent fan or upgrade of a passive system, must be carried out by radon contractors. Rules adopted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (Ill. Admin. Code 422.160) establish construction methods "intended to resist radon entry and prepare the building for post-construction radon mitigation, if necessary."

Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch. 105, § 5/34-205

Requires the local board of education in cities with over 500,000 inhabitants to propose, by January 2012, school facility performance standards that address indoor air quality and other issues. Chicago Public Schools has developed Facility Performance Standards pursuant to the law, which include requirements for use of low-VOC materials, green cleaning products, mechanical ventilation systems, minimum outdoor air supply, and minimum air filtration. (Standards available at: http://www.cps.edu/About_CPS/Policies_and_guidelines/Pages/facilitystandards.aspx.)

Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch. 420, §§ 46/1--25

Establishes requirements for providing information about radon during residential real property sales. Requires sellers to disclose known elevated radon levels in the home and to provide buyers a state-developed pamphlet on radon testing and a general warning statement recommending radon testing prior to all home purchases and mitigation of elevated levels. (State approved forms available at: https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/nrs/radon/realestate.html.) Also requires landlords of residential rental units below the third story to notify current and prospective tenants of any radon hazard revealed by landlord’s testing of the property, unless landlord mitigates the property and eliminates the hazard. Requires landlord to disclose to prospective tenants any radon hazard revealed by current tenants’ testing, unless landlord’s testing demonstrates that a hazard does not exist.

Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch. 410, §§ 105/1 et seq.

Authorizes the state health agency to adopt rules establishing a program for state registration of mold professionals. Beginning in 2025, directs the Department of Public Health to establish a public awareness campaign to assist the public in understanding the threat of mold in indoor environments and the importance of removing mold; this must include disseminating information online and using brochures, as well as providing contact information for agencies and organizations that can provide the public with information on the health effects, mold testing methods, and industry standards for remediation. Requires the agency to perform a review every five years of technology/treatment techniques for mold identification and remediation and of any new scientific evidence on the severity of health risks.

Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch. 410, §§ 87/1--15

Requires the Board of Health to ensure the development of criteria for acceptable indoor air quality, a program for the certification of IAQ inspectors, and educational activity on indoor air quality for public and private agencies. Also requires the board to develop statewide IAQ guidelines, including ventilation standards, source control, and occupancy control guidelines. Guidelines adopted pursuant to the law establish non-binding Criteria for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, including parameters for humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ozone, particulates, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde. (See "IDPH Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality" at http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/indoorairqualityguide_fs.htm.)