The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform hosted a panel discussion Wednesday in Chicago on "the importance of keeping government accountable for clean and safe water." Progress Illinois provides highlights from the talk.
Chicago aldermen are calling for city council hearings about the elevated lead levels found in the drinking water at over a dozen local public schools.
High lead levels have been found in the drinking water at 11 additional Chicago public schools, according to new reports.
After a pilot program found high levels of lead in three water fountains at Tanner Elementary on the city's South Side last month, Chicago Public Schools officials announced plans to test the water at every school in the district.
The district is currently testing water at schools built prior to 1986 as those sites are more likely to have lead service lines. The district is also testing the water at schools with prekindergarten programs. Water in Chicago schools had not been previously tested for the heavy metal before the discovery at Tanner Elementary.
With the state budget stalemate nearing the one-year mark, former Illinois Republican Gov. Jim Edgar made a plea Tuesday for "civility," "compromise" and "compassion" in Springfield.
Speaking in Chicago, Edgar said the "best public policy comes out of compromise," explaining that "you can't get things done if you're not willing to meet your adversaries halfway."
"We ought to have checks and balances, but we shouldn't have shouting matches," he added at the "Illinois: Vision for the Future" event, hosted by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform at the Standard Club.
Edgar, who became governor in 1991 and served two terms, said Illinois is currently in the "worst shape" he seen over the 50 years he's been around state government.
"We have so many people out there hurting because government's not solving the problem," he stressed.
High lead levels found at an elementary school on Chicago's South Side have prompted plans for a district-wide lead testing effort, school and city officials announced Friday.
Environmentalists and experts are reacting to new reports that reveal documented high levels of lead in the water supply of numerous Illinois communities.
High lead levels 
With the state budget stalemate nearing the one-year mark, former Illinois Republican Gov. Jim Edgar made a plea Tuesday for "civility," "compromise" and "compassion" in Springfield.