Parents bringing a 1- or 2-year-old to a well-child visit in Lake Forest or Lake Bluff will face a new requirement: a mandatory blood lead test. The Illinois universal childhood lead testing mandate took effect July 1, 2026, and it applies to every child in the state at ages 12 and 24 months, regardless of ZIP code, insurance status, or perceived risk.
Lake Forest's median home construction year is 1977, according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's 2025 Community Data Snapshot. Roughly 68 percent of the city's 7,303 housing units were built before 1980. Lead-based paint was standard in homes constructed before the 1978 federal ban.
What changed
Previously, Illinois required lead testing only for children living in designated "high-risk ZIP codes." North Shore communities like Lake Forest and Lake Bluff were not on that list. Under the new statewide standard, which IDPH outlined in a June 25 announcement ahead of the July 1 effective date, every Illinois child must be tested automatically at 12 months and again at 24 months.
IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said the expansion builds on years of work: "Through our Childhood Lead Program, IDPH has identified thousands of children who have been exposed to lead, allowing for early intervention to address negative health effects."
All children ages 6 and younger must also be assessed using the IDPH Lead Risk Assessment Questionnaire at every well-child visit. If any answer is "yes" or "don't know," a blood test is required.
What happens if a child tests high
A blood lead level at or above 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) triggers mandatory public health intervention under Illinois law. That threshold aligns with CDC guidance updated in 2021.
When a Lake County child crosses that line, the Lake County Health Department's Childhood Lead Program is automatically notified. The program then:
- Conducts a home inspection to identify the contamination source
- Works with the family to remove lead hazards
- Sends a public health nurse to educate the household on protective steps
The program serves children ages 16 and younger.
Daycare and preschool requirement
Childcare facilities across Illinois, including daycare centers, preschools, and kindergartens, must require proof of a blood lead risk assessment or test before admitting a child. Parents enrolling children in feeder preschools for Lake Forest District 67 or Lake Bluff District 65 will need to provide documentation.
Why Lake Forest's housing stock matters
Of Lake Forest's approximately 7,303 housing units, 1,235 (16.9 percent) were built before 1940 and another 1,829 (25 percent) between 1940 and 1969, per CMAP data drawn from the 2019–2023 American Community Survey. That puts more than 3,000 homes squarely in the era of lead paint. Lake Bluff's housing stock also includes substantial pre-World War II construction, though precise percentages from a current authoritative source are not available.
Lead can also be found in water pipes, furniture, toys, jewelry, spices, and pottery, according to the Lake County Health Department.
What parents should do
Parents of children approaching 12 or 24 months should raise the new requirement at their next pediatrician appointment. The test is a simple blood draw.
For questions or concerns about elevated results, contact the Lake County Health Department's Childhood Lead Program at (847) 377-8010. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan.
