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“The Illinois Department of Public Health is excited to see new
laws and rules go into effect this New Year to improve the
health of Illinois’s public,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer
Vohra.
One of the changes taking effect with the new year is a more
stringent standard for public health intervention based on the
results of testing of blood lead levels in children. Under
Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code is to
be tested automatically at 12, 24, and 36 months, and all
children six years of age and younger are required to be
assessed for lead exposure through a questionnaire administered
by a pediatrician.
Under existing Illinois law, blood tests that come back with
lead levels exceeding 5 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) require
a public health intervention. Under the new rule approved in
August, intervention will be required for any test result higher
than 3.5 µg/dL. If lead is found, the inspector will work with
the homeowner to remove the sources of lead.
Another measure, co-sponsored by state Sen. Laura Ellman,
D-Naperville, and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie,
R-Savanna, expands availability and distribution of free
fentanyl test strips to help people detect the presence of the
dangerous opioid before consuming substances.
“The rise in fentanyl overdoses is a reminder that harm
reduction efforts must continue,” said Ellman. “We cannot allow
the death toll to rise because people lack access to protective
resources.”
Two laws involve assisted living facilities in the state. One
law requires that when a nursing home undergoes a change of
ownership, the new owner and prior owner must work together to
develop and submit a plan of care for residents. Another law
requires assisted living facilities to submit plans for
construction or major renovations for approval by IDPH prior to
commencing construction.
Another law prohibits advertising or promoting electronic
cigarettes that are designed to deceive parents, guardians,
teachers or others into believing that the device is not a
tobacco product.
State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, said some e-cigarettes
are designed to look like school supplies, like highlighters,
erasers and pencil sharpeners.
“This law will prohibit tobacco companies from pulling the wool
over the eyes of educators and guardians whose job it is to keep
kids safe,” said Morrison. |
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