Illinois Governor Signs Lead-Testing Law For Schools, Day Care Centers

"Illinois elementary schools and day care centers must test drinking water sources for lead and notify parents of the results under legislation signed into law Monday by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The plan, which requires one-time testing, takes effect immediately and applies to schools with students up to fifth grade and facilities built before 2000. Schools and facilities will have to pay for the testing.

"This will change the system. We're holding our schools and our day care centers accountable for lead testing," Rauner said at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in Chicago with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and state legislators. "We are going to insist that this get done and our administration will be a key part of this.""

Sophia Tareen reports for the Associated Press January 16, 2017.