If you live in an older suburban Cook County home and have young kids, the county is now offering to pay to hunt down and remove lead hazards for you.
The new Lead-Safe Cook County initiative is a county-funded campaign that covers inspections and repairs so qualifying suburban families can get common sources of lead out of their homes at no cost.
According to a press release from the Cook County Department of Public Health, eligible homeowners and renters can apply for free lead inspections and repairs that may include painting, window replacement, flooring, drywall work and soil remediation. To qualify, homes must have been built before 1978, households must earn less than 120% of the Area Median Income, and a child under six must live in or frequently visit the residence. “A safe and healthy home should never depend on a family’s ZIP code or income,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in the release.
As CBS Chicago reports, roughly two-thirds of suburban Cook County’s housing stock was built before 1978, which leaves many families dealing with legacy lead paint whether they realize it or not. The county plans to push the campaign through ads in stores, at transit stops, and online to drive eligible residents to the application.
What the county will fix
County officials describe Lead-Safe Cook County as a Lead Hazard Reduction program that removes the financial barrier to critical repairs. Services are provided at no cost to qualifying homeowners and tenants, and the Cook County Department of Public Health will work with local nonprofits to handle applications and coordinate contractor work.
According to the program details, covered repairs can include replacing windows and exterior doors, fixing gutters and siding, repainting, and remediating contaminated soil. The goal is to remove or seal off the most common sources of lead inside and around older homes.
How to apply
Residents can start the process by filling out an application at Lead-SafeCookCounty.com. After submitting the online form, applicants will be contacted by a program partner to move the process forward, CBS Chicago notes.
The county asks applicants to be ready with proof of household income and a home address, so staff can confirm whether the property was built before 1978 and meets the other eligibility rules.
Why this matters
There is no safe level of lead exposure, and even low blood lead concentrations can affect children’s brain development and behavior, according to the CDC. Those effects can show up in school performance, attention and behavior, which is why health officials treat prevention as urgent, not optional.
Illinois has tightened its intervention threshold, requiring public health action at 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, which means more children will be flagged for follow-up and home inspections, the Illinois Department of Public Health says. County officials argue that stripping lead hazards out of older homes is a crucial step to keep those blood lead levels from climbing in the first place.
