RADON RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION ACT
Effective June 1, 2013 all new construction of single-family homes or dwellings containing 2 or fewer apartments, condominiums, or town houses must have a passive radon pipe installed. The installation of this radon resistant construction may be performed by a residential building contractor or his or her subcontractors or a radon contractor during new residential construction. Only a radon mitigation contractor licensed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency may install a radon vent fan or upgrade this passive new construction pipe to an active mitigation system.
NEW LAW REQUIRES RADON TESTING IN DAY CARE CENTERS
Parents of children in day care will be better informed about levels of radon in their child’s facility under a new law that took effect Jan. 1, 2013. Licensed day care centers and day care homes are now required to test for the radioactive gas, and beginning Jan. 1, 2014, day care centers will need to show proof the facility has been tested for radon within the last three years as part of the initial application or license renewal process.
Read the full press release
Frequently Asked Questions
ILLINOIS RADON AWARENESS ACT
The Illinois Radon Awareness Act, which took effect January 1, 2008, requires sellers of a home to provide anyone buying their home, condominium or other residential property in Illinois with information about indoor radon exposure and the fact that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. The new law doesn’t require that homes be tested for radon prior to the sale or that radon remediation work be conducted if test results show high levels of radon. However, under the new law, if a radon test has been conducted on the home those results must be provided to the buyer.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) strongly recommends ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to purchase or taking occupancy, and mitigation if elevated levels are found.
The buyer, seller and realtor must all sign a disclosure agreement stating that all parties understand the dangers of radon and their obligations under Illinois law.
Illinois Radon Awareness Act press release.
Full text of the Illinois Radon Awareness Act
ILLINOIS LAW TO PROTECT RENTERS
A new law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2012, will help people who rent apartments, condominiums or houses access information about radon levels in their homes. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s (IEMA) radon program is offering guidance to help renters better understand radon hazards and their rights under this new law.
Public Act 97-0021, which was approved by the Illinois General Assembly this spring and signed by Gov. Quinn on June 28, 2011, requires owners of rental units to inform renters in writing before a lease is signed if the rental space has been tested for radon and that a radon hazard may exist. If the rental unit hasn’t been tested, a renter can conduct a do-it-yourself radon test or ask the owner to test by hiring a licensed radon contractor. If a renter conducts a radon test in the rental unit and results show high radon levels, the renter should inform the building owner in writing.
IEMA recommends that all rental units below the third floor be tested for radon.
