Health Department
According to a recently published Chicago Department of Public Health press release, a new city program will help reduce the number of child lead poisoning cases.
The program will make over $12 million available to residents so that they can replace windows and fix other lead hazards in the city's estimated 2,000 affordable and rental houses and apartments in the city throughout the next two years.
The $12 million program was officially unveiled today by City officials along with community development and child health advocates while visiting a resident block on the West Side of Chicago.
Exactly $6 million of the grant will come from the Chicago Department of Public Health and the other $6 million is coming from private funds raised by Delta Redevelopment and through lenders and investors such as Fifth Third Bank, LaSalle Bank, Harris N.A., Cole Taylor Bank and The Private Bank.
The huge $12 million in grants will allow landlords all over the city replace windows and get rid of chipping lead paint in over 2,000 rentable homes in Chicago. The original grants were made by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Terry Mason said, “This is an exciting new program that will help property owners afford to make the necessary repairs that will keep them in compliance with the law, but more importantly, help keep Chicago's children healthy and safe.”
Landlords who qualify for the program can borrow funds to get lead out of their properties or replace windows. The grants are actually loans which the landlord only has to pay half plus interest back. What else is great about the program is that they will have access to window and other replacement services for half price.
Landlords and building owners who are interested in applying and participating in the program are advised to call the Chicago Department of Public Health at 312-747-LEAD.
“Lead poisoning in children is completely preventable and this program is an important step in our goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning by the year 2010,” said Anita Weinberg, Chair of Lead Safe Illinois and Director of Loyola University Chicago's ChildLaw Policy Institute.
“We are excited to provide window replacement services to Chicago property owners, and hope that one day this program will be expanded so more owners can take advantage of this great opportunity,” said Ron Spielman, President of Chicago Lead Safe Windows Services.
For more information about the program and lead safety, visit www.leadsafeillinois.org.