Leader Of State Environmental Group Praises CPS Lead Testing Program

Drinking Fountain
Steven Depolo / Flickr
Drinking Fountain
Steven Depolo / Flickr

Leader Of State Environmental Group Praises CPS Lead Testing Program

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The leader of the Illinois Environmental Council gives the Chicago Public Schools high marks for its efforts to deal with lead in drinking water.

The council claims other green groups as members— like the state Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. 

When the group’s executive director, Jen Walling, testified at a city council committee hearing Tuesday, she praised the district for moving quickly, taking a smart approach to testing, and for being transparent about its findings. Especially, she said, compared to other districts around the state.

CPS officials tested more than 300 schools last spring, and have posted the results online. They said Tuesday that they plan to test the remaining 200 or so by early November. 

Dan Weissmann is a reporter for WBEZ. Follow him at @danweissmann.