May 30, 2007—With a 52-5 vote in the Senate, Illinois became the second state to enact legislation requiring green cleaning in schools.
The act will require all elementary and secondary schools in Illinois to purchase environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies, which are now cost-comparable and equally effective to conventional cleaning products.
Green cleaning products reduce children’s exposure to irritants and toxic chemicals while protecting the health of custodial staff.
The bill authorizes the Green Government Coordinating Council to determine specific standards for green products within six months. Schools will develop plans for meeting the standards within three months of the standards’ development, but may continue using their current stock of cleaning supplies until it is depleted.
More details about the campaign, as well as resources for how schools are adopting green cleaning products, are available through HealthySchoolsCampaign.org and the Green Clean Schools Web site.
