Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act 410 ILCS 45 and Cook County Department of Public Health Childhood Lead Program require lead inspections in pre-1978 rentals where children with elevated blood levels are identified. Property owners must mitigate identified hazards within statutory timelines.
410 ILCS 45 requires Illinois Department of Public Health and delegated local health departments to investigate any child under six with confirmed blood lead level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher. Cook County DPH operates the largest delegated program outside Chicago, performing in-home inspections of pre-1978 rentals. Identified hazards trigger a Mitigation Notice giving the owner 90 days to abate using lead-safe work practices and IDPH-licensed contractors. Owners must vacate child during abatement. Cook County Healthy Homes Program supplements with grant funding for low-income owners. Federal HUD lead disclosure rules apply at every lease and renewal.
Failure to abate after Mitigation Notice triggers Class A misdemeanor charges, fines up to $2,500 per violation per day, and potential rental license suspension. Disclosure violations under federal Title X bring HUD penalties up to $20,000 per violation.
See how Oak Park's lead-hazard inspections rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.