For Immediate Release: January 6, 2026
Media Contact: Efrat Dallal Stein – [email protected]
BRIDGEVIEW, IL – Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has launched a new awareness campaign, “Lead-Safe Cook County,” to encourage eligible suburban Cook County residents and homeowners to apply for free lead removal services and free home repairs.
Lead is a toxic metal that can be hard to see but is very harmful. There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even small amounts can cause harm over time. Each year, about 200 children in suburban Cook County test positive for elevated blood lead levels, which can cause lasting problems with growth, learning and behavior. During pregnancy, lead exposure can also pass to the baby and affect development before birth.
The campaign encourages qualified homeowners and renters to apply for the program that may include a lead inspection, painting, window replacement, flooring, drywall, and soil remediation. The program is open to both homeowners and tenants. To qualify, homes must have been built before 1978; and families must meet income requirements (earn less than 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) and have a child under the age of 6 that lives in or frequently visits the home.
Homes in Cook County and Illinois face some of the highest risks for lead exposure with two thirds of homes built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned.
These older homes are the primary source of lead exposure for children who most commonly are exposed to lead poisoning by eating paint chips and breathing in lead dust. At the same time, Illinois has adopted one of the most stringent blood lead standards in the country, lowering the level that triggers public health action to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. The combination of older housing and stronger protections underscores both the urgency of addressing lead hazards and the importance of proactive prevention efforts like Lead-Safe Cook County.
“A safe and healthy home should never depend on a family’s ZIP code or income,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This program helps families address lead hazards in older homes and ensures children have the chance to grow up healthy.”
“Lead poisoning can have serious and lasting effects on a child’s development, including damage to the brain and nervous system, and can increase the risk of long-term health conditions in adulthood such as anemia, high blood pressure, and heart disease,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO of Cook County Health. “Testing children for lead, inspecting homes for lead hazards, and removing lead from the home are critical steps, and Cook County’s program helps families take action.”
“Unfortunately, higher blood lead levels disproportionately affect children in households with limited financial resources and communities of color. These disparities are driven by longstanding structural inequities and racial injustices that cause families to live in older housing where lead-based paint is more common,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health. “Our lead removal program eliminates the financial barrier to make older homes a safe living environment for children
The Lead-Safe Cook County campaign will be promoted throughout suburban cook county through in-store posters, transit ads and digital marketing. Funded through Cook County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the county’s lead removal program is free for homeowners and renters.
Residents can learn more and apply at www.Lead-SafeCookCounty.com
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Cook County Department of Public Health, an affiliate of Cook County Health, is the nationally accredited, state-certified local health department serving suburban Cook County. We build healthier, more equitable communities by protecting health, preventing disease, engaging communities, and analyzing and sharing data for action.