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

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

Chicago, March 21, 2007 -- The Green Clean Schools Act, HB 895, is closer to becoming a state law. The Illinois House today voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, by a vote of 88-26.

This vote represents a victory for the bill’s diverse coalition of supporters that includes school nurses, educators, environmental leaders, cleaning professionals, union leaders and other medical professionals.

“Green cleaning is a smart, easy, cost-effective step to improving health in schools,” said Mark Bishop, deputy director of the Healthy Schools Campaign, an independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to healthy school environments. “Representatives supported this bill with their common sense and with the knowledge that it’s the right thing to do.”

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

HSC is working with Senate leaders to introduce the bill in the Senate.

The Green Clean Schools Act was introduced by State Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood) and has a broad base of support from 48 additional co-sponsors and a coalition of allies that includes the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; American Academy of Pediatrics IL Chapter; American Lung Association of Chicago and Illinois; Chicago Teachers Union; Citizen Action of Illinois; Cloud 9 & Company; 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; ISSA, Kranz, Inc.; LaGrange Highland School District 106; Lt. Governor’s Office; Phoenix Supply Company; Pike Systems; Pollution Prevention Resource Center; PortionPac Chemical Corporation; SEIU; Seven Generations Ahead; Sierra Club; Southern Illinois Public Cooperative; 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.