Oak Park Homeowners Face Critical 2025 Deadline for Lead Service Line Replacement Under New Illinois Mandate

Oak Park residents are confronting a significant infrastructure challenge as all Illinois owners and operators of community water supplies will have to replace lead and galvanized water service lines, a state-mandated process that will begin in 2027. This urgent situation demands immediate attention from homeowners who may have lead pipes connecting their properties to the municipal water system.

Understanding the Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement Mandate

The Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (the “Act”) became law in Illinois as Public Act 102-0613 on January 1, 2022. In the Act, which is codified at 415 ILCS 5/17.12, the Illinois General Assembly determined that for the health and safety of the citizens of Illinois, all lead service lines must be replaced by the owner or operator of any community water supply. This comprehensive legislation affects thousands of Oak Park properties, with over 680,000 lead service lines still in operation in Illinois.

The timeline for compliance is aggressive. In accordance with the law, the Village of Oak Park submitted a draft lead service line replacement plan in April 2024 and will submit a final plan by 2027. Illinois’ Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act also establishes timelines for replacement based on the number of lead service lines within a community starting in 2027. Community water supplies with fewer than 1,200 lines have the shortest deadline of 2042, while supplies like Chicago, with more than 99,999 lines have until 2077.

What Oak Park Homeowners Need to Know

The most critical change for homeowners is that Public Act 102-0613 prohibits partial lead service line replacements except in certain circumstances because partial lead service line replacements can increase lead levels for long periods of time. Partial lead service line replacement means replacement of only a portion of a lead service line. This means when any work is done on a lead service line, the entire line from the water main to your home must be replaced.

Oak Park has been proactive in addressing this challenge. The Village of Oak Park Water Distribution and Neighborhood Services divisions have developed a program to replace lead water service lines with copper water service lines for low-income residents. A free lead service line replacement is offered to individuals who may not be able to afford it through conventional means.

Financial Assistance and Programs Available

Recognizing the financial burden this mandate places on residents, Oak Park offers several support programs. The village program replaces lead water service lines with copper ones for households making less than 80% of the area median income. Funding for the program comes from Community Development Block Grant funds. For those who qualify, there’s no cost to participate.

For 2025, the proposed capital improvement plan allocates $100,000 for this program, which allows the village to assist 10 to 12 households. In 2024, the village aided 14. The village has even waived the fee associated with inspection of new water meters, $250, for program participants in 2024 and 2025.

The Importance of Professional Plumbing Services

Given the complexity and legal requirements surrounding lead service line replacement, homeowners need experienced professionals to navigate this process. When searching for a qualified plumber oak park residents can trust, it’s essential to find contractors who understand both the technical aspects of the work and the regulatory requirements.

Go-Rooter Plumbing, serving Chicago and Cook County, exemplifies the type of professional service Oak Park residents need during this critical time. Go-Rooter Plumbing offers expert plumbing services in Chicago & Cook County, IL. Trust us for reliable repairs, installations, and maintenance. The company’s commitment to upfront, transparent pricing. We believe in clarity. We’ll give you a precise estimate before any work starts, so you won’t be met with unexpected costs is particularly valuable when dealing with mandated infrastructure upgrades.

Taking Action: What Homeowners Should Do Now

Oak Park homeowners should take immediate steps to prepare for this mandate. First, determine if your property has lead service lines. While the Village has identified the material of most water service lines in Oak Park, there are still water service lines whose material is unknown. If your property still shows as unknown or you believe the material identified is incorrect, please help us by completing the Village’s Water Service Line Survey.

If you discover you have lead service lines, explore your options early. Homeowners who do not participate during this project window will be responsible for the full cost of replacement in the future. We strongly encourage all affected homeowners to take advantage of this one-time, no-cost opportunity.

The Health Imperative

This mandate isn’t just about regulatory compliance—it’s about public health. The health impacts of lead exposure are widely known. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. When these service lines are made of lead, they can be significant contributors to lead contamination of drinking water.

Oak Park’s lead service line replacement mandate represents a significant challenge, but also an opportunity to ensure safe drinking water for all residents. By understanding the requirements, exploring available assistance programs, and working with qualified professionals, homeowners can successfully navigate this transition while protecting their families’ health and their property values. The key is to act now—waiting until the last minute will only increase costs and limit options for compliance with this critical public health initiative.