For Immediate Release
Contact: Tara Kennon, 312-419-1810
tara@healthyschoolscampaign.org

Green Clean Schools Act Moves Forward in Illinois State House
Bill Would Reduce Chemical Exposures for Children and School Staff

Chicago, Feb. 26, 2007 -- The Green Clean Schools Act, HB 895, sailed through the Illinois House Environmental Health Committee Feb. 21 with a vote of 12-0, bringing it closer to presentation to the full state House.

The act would require all elementary and secondary schools in Illinois to purchase only environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies. These products reduce children’s exposure to irritants and toxic chemicals while protecting the health of custodial staff who work closely with the supplies. The products are cost comparable and equally effective to conventional cleaning products.

Important to all students and school staff, this reduction in chemical exposure is especially critical to Illinois children who suffer from asthma that can be exacerbated by chemical irritants and poor indoor air quality.

The act allows exemption from green cleaning for schools demonstrating that an environmentally sensitive cleaning program would cost more than traditional cleaning.

“Green cleaning is an easy, cost-effective step that can make a real difference in children’s health, which we know is linked to their school attendance and to their performance in school,” said Mark Bishop, deputy director of the Healthy Schools Campaign, an independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to healthy school environments. “It’s also tremendously important to the custodial staff who work closely with the chemicals day after day.”

The act was introduced by Rep. Karen May and has a broad base of support from 12 additional co-sponsors and a diverse group of organizations, including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; American Academy of Pediatrics IL Chapter; American Lung Association, Chicago and Illinois chapters; Chicago Teachers Union; Citizen Action of Illinois; Environment Illinois; Environmental Law and Policy Center; Healthy Schools Campaign; Illinois Association of School Nurses; Illinois Education Association; Illinois Environmental Council; Illinois Public Health Association; International Sanitary Supply Association; Kranz, Inc.; Lt. Governor’s Office; PortionPac Chemical Corporation; SEIU; Sierra Club; United Supply Service, Inc.; U.S. Green Building Council; and Voices for Illinois Children.

Full details and bill status updates:
http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/gca

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The Healthy Schools Campaign, an independent not-for-profit organization, is the leading authority on healthy school environments and a voice for people who care about our environment, our children, and education. Our mission is to advocate for policies and model programs that allow students and staff members to learn and work in a healthy school environment.