Urge Mayor Johnson to replace Chicago’s lead service lines and protect residents!

Chicago has more lead service lines than any city in the country. Because of this, many of Chicago’s residents are at risk of exposure to lead, a dangerous neurotoxin which is most harmful to our children and can have multi-generational impacts.

This is an urgent crisis. There is no safe level of lead exposure. The longer Chicagoans wait for lead service lines to be replaced, the more families could be exposed to lead contamination and face life-threatening health risks.

The City of Chicago has a program intended to replace the city’s lead service lines, but progress has been extremely slow, with less than 500 of nearly 410,000 known lead service lines replaced by the end of 2022–less than one-tenth of one percent. This is unacceptable.

Newly-elected Mayor Johnson and his administration must act to make Chicago a more equitable city, where everyone can have safe water no matter where they live.

Send an urgent message to Mayor Johnson demanding the City accelerate the replacement of lead service lines and protect the health of residents!

Newly-elected Mayor Johnson and his administration must act to make Chicago a more equitable city, where everyone can have safe water no matter where they live.

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Your Message

Subject Chicago’s Lead Crisis

Dear Mayor Brandon Johnson and Member of City Council:

Message Body

I am writing to you as a concerned resident of Chicago regarding the pressing issue of lead service lines still prevalent in our city. I am deeply troubled by the continuous exposure to lead that our residents, particularly children, face on a daily basis.

Chicago leads the nation in lead service lines with nearly 410,000 known lines across the city. The impacts are felt widely - but not evenly. Communities of color bear a disproportionate burden of lead exposure, exacerbating existing inequalities.

There is no safe level of exposure to lead. It is a dangerous neurotoxin which inflicts irreversible damage. Its impact is particularly severe for children, and the repercussions can extend across generations, posing a perpetual risk to present and future inhabitants of our city.

This is a public health emergency that demands urgent action. It is critical that we expedite the replacement of Chicago's lead service lines while ensuring the protection of our residents. Efforts to date have proven inadequate, with less than 500 lead service lines replaced in the past two years, accounting for less than one-tenth of one percent of these hazardous pipes.

I urge you to take the following crucial steps to safeguard the health of Chicagoans at risk of lead exposure:

•Commit to an equitable, robust plan to fully remove and replace Chicago’s lead service lines in 10 years.

•Leverage resources from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan Act, other federal and state funding, and ratepayer funds to replace the lead pipes at no direct cost to Chicago residents.

•Immediately provide certified filters (and replacement cartridges) for all households with lead pipes and those with unknown material and continue providing these for at least six months after the pipes are replaced.

•Eliminate any permit impediments to lead service line full replacement

•Ensure that the Department of Water Management strengthens the Utility Bill Relief program and takes all other necessary steps to ensure low-income Chicagoans can afford their water bills.

By taking action on this urgent issue, you will show that you're committed to making Chicago a more equitable city, where everyone can have safe water no matter where they live. Getting rid of lead service lines will not only protect our health but also show that you care about creating a community where everyone can thrive.

Thank you,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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