HR0094 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0094 LRB100 10333 MST 20522 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, School District U-46 (Elgin) conducted routine water sampling and found abnormally high levels of Legionella; and

WHEREAS, The school district closed its facilities in an effort to protect school children; and

WHEREAS, Legionella is a bacteria that is found naturally in the environment, usually in warm water; and

WHEREAS, In situations where environmental factors are favorable to the growth of Legionella in large numbers and the bacteria is aerosolized, human illness can occur; and

WHEREAS, Legionnaires' disease is transmitted by the inhalation of a mist or vapor that has been contaminated with Legionella bacteria; and

WHEREAS, The most vulnerable population for contracting Legionnaires' disease is individuals 49 or older, smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems; and

WHEREAS, Legionnaires' disease is not transmitted person to person; and

WHEREAS, The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, when Legionella is identified, to treat the water; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Public Health has encouraged school districts, prior to testing for Legionella, to implement and develop plans for the testing if a positive result were to occur; and

WHEREAS, School districts are following the testing recommendations as outlined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standards; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health to work in collaboration with school districts to develop and implement plans for the testing of Legionella; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health update the General Assembly with a report on their progress by December 31, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be provided to the State Superintendent of Education and Director of Public Health.