Illinois AG Clubs Chicago-Area Landlord With Lawsuit Over Alleged Failure To Properly Address Cracked, Peeling Lead Paint In Apartment; Probe Triggered When Tenant's Young Child Showed Elevated Levels Of Lead In Blood Test; Apartment To Remain Vacant Until County Public Health Department OKs Occupancy

From the Office of the Illinois Attorney General:

• Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit [last week] against a suburban property owner for violating the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act by failing to fix cracked and peeling lead paint in a Berwyn apartment building after a young child living there tested for high levels of lead exposure.
  
  Madigan filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against Patricia Groves, the owner and landlord of an apartment building located at 1817 S. Grove Ave. in Berwyn, Ill.
  
  According to Madigan’s complaint, a lead test was conducted in a second-floor apartment of Groves’ building after a child under the age of six living in the apartment showed elevated levels of lead in a blood test. A lead test conducted by the Cook County Department of Public Health confirmed the presence of lead paint in the apartment.
  
  After being notified of the contamination, Madigan alleged Groves failed to hire a licensed lead abatement contractor and take steps to address the hazard. In conjunction with her lawsuit, Madigan also obtained an agreed interim order that will ensure the apartment remains empty until the owner addresses the lead hazards and receives clearance from the Cook County Department of Public Health to begin accepting tenants. The order also requires Groves to post notice of the lead hazard at all entrances of the building.
  
  “There’s no reason any child should be exposed to lead paint, but the unfortunate reality is that it remains an ongoing concern and poses very serious health risks,” Madigan said. “This lawsuit will ensure that this defendant immediately addresses the lead paint hazard in her building.”
  
  ***
  The case was referred to Madigan’s office by the Cook County Department of Public Health.

Source: Attorney General Madigan Files Lawsuit Against Berwyn Property Owner Over Lead Paint Hazards (Madigan Also Files Order to Ensure Apartment is Vacant While Lead Paint is Addressed).

For the lawsuit, see People v. Groves; go here for agreed order to keep unit vacant until hazard is abated. epa environmental protection agency