Illinois Senate unanimously passes plan improving drinking water quality

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a plan Thursday to enhance the quality of public drinking water.

This proposal calls on 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.

Senate Bill 727 would also require the Illinois EPA to bring together a group of environmental stakeholders within a year to identify any other 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 could also codify new rules issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that set the maximum contaminant levels on six forever chemicals.

State representatives could discuss the legislation when they return next week. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn on May 24.