The Illinois House failed to pass a plan to enhance the quality of public drinking water before session ended last month.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House failed to pass a plan to enhance the quality of public drinking water before session ended last month.

This proposal could require the Illinois Department of Public Health to work with the Pollution Control Board to update drinking water standards to establish new limits on maximum levels of forever chemicals.

Water glass

It would also clarify that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is the primary agency responsible for implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Senate Bill 727 also calls for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to convene a group of environmental stakeholders within a year to identify any other water contaminants or chemicals that should be regulated by the state.

"It is slowing down the rate of early childhood development. It's leading to an accelerated pace of chronic disease progression," said Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago). "And it's really something that we've got to get our hands around because everyone deserves to drink clean drinking water. Clean drinking water is a human right."

The plan would also codify new rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that set the maximum contaminant levels on six forever chemicals. 

Senate Bill 727 passed unanimously out of the Senate on May 16. Simmons told WAND News that he expects the House to take up the legislation when lawmakers return for veto session this fall. Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet (D-Chicago) is the House sponsor.

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