Lead Service Line Programs Across Chicago Suburbs
Across Illinois, communities are taking decisive steps to address lead in drinking water by identifying and replacing aging water service lines. Public water suppliers are required to publish annual water quality reports, often called Consumer Confidence Reports, and to maintain inventories of water service line materials. Under state and federal requirements, municipalities must also develop long-term replacement plans where lead or galvanized service lines are present.
In the Chicago area, this has produced a growing mix of municipal programs, including full no-cost replacements, reimbursement programs, cost-share initiatives, public inventory maps, and resident survey campaigns. Below is an overview of how several local communities are responding, along with direct links to official municipal resources.
Why Lead Service Line Replacement Matters
Lead service lines are underground pipes that connect a home or building to the water main. Lead exposure has no safe level and can be especially harmful to children and pregnant women. While many communities use corrosion control treatment to reduce the risk of lead leaching into water, the most effective long-term solution is removing lead service lines entirely.
Residents can reduce possible exposure by using NSF-certified filters, flushing taps after periods of non-use, using cold water for drinking and cooking, and requesting water testing where available.
Illinois Law and Public Health Guidance
Illinois’ Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, also known as Public Act 102-0613, requires community water supplies to continue inventorying lead service lines, notify owners and occupants, and develop replacement plans. The Illinois Department of Public Health also cautions that partial lead service line replacements can temporarily increase lead levels and are generally prohibited except in limited circumstances.
Read IDPH’s lead service line overview for more detail.
Federal Update: USEPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
On October 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, often referred to as the LCRI. These federal rules generally require community water systems to identify and replace lead service lines within 10 years. The rule was published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2024, and the main LCRI compliance date is November 1, 2027; most systems must then complete replacement of their lead service lines by November 1, 2037. Some large cities, including Chicago, may qualify for deferred deadlines.
Learn more on the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements page.
The Illinois Municipal League has also published a fact sheet (PDF) discussing how the federal LCRI rules may supersede Illinois’ existing statutory program once effective.
Chicago-Area Lead Service Line Programs & Resources
Programs vary widely by community. Some municipalities offer full replacements, others provide cost-sharing or reimbursements, and some currently focus on inventorying and resident education. Use the table below to find your municipality’s official program page.
| Municipality | Program Status & Summary | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | Residential Lead Line Replacement Reimbursement Program approved Sept. 3, 2024; 50% reimbursement up to $2,500 for privately owned lead infrastructure | Program Page |
| Blue Island | Citywide service line material survey efforts and annual Consumer Confidence Reports | CCR & Water Info |
| Chicago | Estimated 400,000 lead service lines; public inventory map, resident self-reporting, and free testing resources | Inventory Map |
| Deerfield | Voluntary Lead Service Line Replacement Program approved; financial assistance available for eligible properties on a first-come, first-served basis | LSLR Program |
| Evanston | Draft replacement plan submitted April 2025; final plan due 2027; anticipated 5% replacement annually; homeowner-initiated private-side replacement with City replacing the public side at no expense after completion | Evanston Lead Replacement |
| Harvey | “Get the Lead Out!” community initiative focused on identifying unknown service line materials through resident survey participation | Get the Lead Out |
| Highland Park | Lead service line replacement project planned over the next two to three years; SRF financing and a City cost-share program involved; GIS lookup available | Lead Information |
| Lansing | Lead service line replacement project for 2025–26 financed through Illinois SRF; additional information available through the GetTheLeadOutIL portal | Lansing Program |
| Midlothian | Replacement projects supported through Illinois SRF; residents can view inventory info and request inspections through the GetTheLeadOutIL portal | Village Program Page / Project Portal |
| Naperville | City initiative to replace all known lead service lines; replacements performed at no cost to homeowners; volunteer monitoring program available | Lead Service Line Replacement |
| Niles | Proactive replacement since 2022; pilot program replacing lead lines for 315 homes at no cost using a zero-interest loan | Niles Program |
| Oak Park | Lead Water Service Replacement Grant funded through HUD/CDBG for qualifying households; applications closed for the current program year | Grant Program |
| Palatine | Cost-sharing program with reimbursement up to $11,000; pre-approval required | Village Website |
| Rolling Meadows | Inventory and education resources; reports no known lead service lines and maintains an interactive map and survey process | Inventory Program |
| Schaumburg | Villagewide inspection concluded in 2025 with zero identified lead service lines; annual water quality reports published | Water Quality |
| Skokie | Public side replaced by the Village; private side cost-shared 50/50 for Village-led projects or leaks, with a voluntary cost-share option available | Lead Water Line Information |
| Vernon Hills | Lead service line inventory and replacement information published by the Village; confirm current reimbursement program details with the Village before relying on them | Village Website |
| Waukegan | Public dashboard and transparency portal; the city reports roughly 9,000 lead-based service lines and ongoing replacement planning | Waukegan Portal |
Chicago’s Lead Service Line Inventory Map and Free Testing
The City of Chicago estimates there are approximately 400,000 lead service lines in the city. To improve transparency, the Chicago Department of Water Management provides a public service line inventory map where residents can check whether their service line may be lead and submit verification results to help improve accuracy.
Chicago officials note that the city’s drinking water meets national and state standards, due in part to corrosion control treatment, and that residents with concerns can request free water testing. You can check your address on Chicago’s lead service line inventory map.
Palatine’s Cost-Sharing Program for Homeowners
The Village of Palatine recently posted details about its Lead and Galvanized Steel Water Service Line Replacement Cost Sharing Program, administered by Public Works. The program is voluntary and open to residential properties with qualifying service lines, but pre-approval is required before beginning work.
Under the program, Palatine reimburses homeowners 100% of the cost to replace the service line from the water main to the shut-off valve, also known as the b-box, and 75% of the cost from the shut-off valve to the indoor meter. The maximum reimbursement is $11,000, plus permit fees. Learn more on the Village of Palatine’s website.
Deerfield Launches Voluntary Lead Service Line Replacement Program
The Village of Deerfield has approved a new voluntary Lead Service Line Replacement Program to help homeowners replace lead water service lines and reduce potential exposure. The program provides financial assistance for eligible residential properties on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited funding and a limited number of program spots available.
The program is intended for the voluntary replacement of lead water service lines serving residential properties. It does not cover replacements required for repairs, remodeling, new construction, or other mandated improvements. Under Village ordinance, Deerfield maintains the portion of the water service line from the water main to the parkway or sidewalk, while the homeowner is responsible for the portion running from the parkway or sidewalk area into the home.
As part of the replacement process, older outside meter pits, where present, will be removed and meters relocated inside the home. Residents can review program requirements, application materials, property look-up tools, and related documents on Deerfield’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program page.
Highland Park Updates Lead Service Line Replacement Efforts
The City of Highland Park reports that it remains in compliance with state and federal regulations governing lead and copper in public drinking water. Highland Park notes that lead in drinking water is primarily associated with service lines and home plumbing materials, not with the treated public water supply itself.
Highland Park has also updated residents on its lead service line replacement work. The City has developed a Lead Service Line Replacement Program Policy to assist homeowners and discussed an updated policy as recently as its May 27, 2025 City Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
The City has announced a lead service line replacement project expected to take place over the next two to three years. The majority of the project is expected to be financed through the Public Water Supply Loan Program under the Illinois State Revolving Fund, administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The project will replace lead and galvanized water pipes from the water main to the b-box or meter pit, as well as private-side portions where applicable through the City’s cost-share program.
Highland Park residents are encouraged to review their private service line information through the City’s GIS Lead Service Line Map and to submit corrections if information appears inaccurate. For lead testing or water quality questions, residents may contact the Water Plant at 847.433.4355 or email waterplant@cityhpil.com. Learn more on the City of Highland Park’s lead information page.
State Funding Notes: Inventory Grants vs. Replacement Costs
The Illinois EPA offers grant opportunities that help communities complete required lead service line inventories. These inventory grants are intended for identifying and documenting service line materials and do not cover replacement costs. Learn more on the Illinois EPA’s lead service line inventory grant page.
Local and State Context: Waukegan Example
In 2023, the Illinois EPA announced funding headed to Waukegan to help identify service lines that may contain lead, as part of broader statewide inventory efforts and compliance with Illinois law. Waukegan also maintains an ongoing public dashboard for its lead service line inventory and replacement efforts.
Read the announcement in Senator Adriane Johnson’s release, and view Waukegan’s public lead service line portal.
Closing
At LocalSuburbs.com, our goal is to make local government programs, public health information, and community updates easier to understand and easier to access. Infrastructure issues like lead service line replacement can feel overwhelming, but the details matter, and knowing where to find accurate, local information is the first step. We will continue tracking municipal programs, regulatory changes, and funding opportunities across the suburbs—and updating our coverage—so residents have reliable, timely information about the communities they call home.
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