Illinois House sends safe drinking water plan to Pritzker's desk

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could ensure safe drinking water standards in Illinois.

The legislation allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to impose civil penalties against non-community water supplies that violate drinking water standards.

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

"Illinois would no longer be able to control our non-community water supplies if this bill does not pass," said Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). "It would be taken up by the federal government. So, this is a federally required mandate. If we don't do right now, we will lose our authority over these."

Schools, factories, restaurants, resorts, and churches are considered non-community public water systems since their water usually comes from a well.

Senate Bill 2266 passed out of the House on a 75-39 vote. It previously passed out of the Senate on a 44-11 vote.

"Our residents deserve to know that, when they are out in the community, the water is safe," said Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). "Fortifying enforcement for safe drinking water standards is critical to ensuring that we maintain access to safe water."