New universal child blood lead testing guidelines to begin in Illinois

Friday, June 26, 2026 at 12:36 PM

By Steve Anderson

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced that new childhood blood lead testing methods will take effect in Illinois on July 1.

The program will enable the IDPH to identify any children from across the state who have been exposed to lead and who may need health intervention to address the effects.

Previously, Illinois lead testing requirements applied only to children living in so called "high-risk ZIP code areas". Under the new standards that begin in July, all Illinois children are to be tested automatically at 12 and 24 months. All children 6 years of age and younger will be required to be assessed for lead exposure through the use of a questionnaire administered by a health care provider.

Any blood tests that come back with confirmed lead levels in excess of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter will require a public health intervention. This includes a home inspection to determine the source of the lead contamination.