Springfield, IL – Thousands of Illinois children will soon be included in required lead exposure screenings as state health officials expand testing protocols across more communities.
A total of 180 additional ZIP codes across 47 counties have been added to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) high-risk list, which mandates childhood lead testing. The move is part of the state’s broader effort to implement universal childhood lead testing by July 2026.
According to IDPH, the new ZIP codes will be subject to mandatory lead screening starting July 1, 2025. With this expansion, more than 1,350 ZIP codes across Illinois are now designated as high-risk.
“There is no safe level of lead in the blood,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Early detection and intervention are critical tools to help protect Illinois’s kids from the serious health and developmental challenges caused by lead exposure.”
Children living in high-risk ZIP codes are required by law to be tested at 12 and 24 months of age. All Illinois children under age six must be assessed for lead risk using a standardized questionnaire, with further testing required if risk factors are identified.
The high-risk designation is based on an algorithm that evaluates housing age, poverty rates, and past lead exposure data. Children with elevated blood lead levels—above five micrograms per deciliter—trigger a public health response including home inspections and family education.
The full list of updated high-risk ZIP codes is available through IDPH’s website.
The counties affected include major metro areas like Cook, DuPage, and Lake, as well as smaller counties such as Piatt, Richland, and Wayne.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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