A dozen Illinois Democrats are seeking answers from the General Services Administration on efforts to address elevated levels of lead and Legionella at four federal government buildings in Chicago and Rockford. [Health News Illinois]

The letter to agency Administrator Robin Carnahan, signed by Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and 10 House members, came after water tests earlier this year at the buildings found some combination of elevated levels of lead, copper and Legionella.

Affected buildings were the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building and the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, as well as the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse in Rockford.

The lawmakers asked Carnahan for an update on what steps the agency has taken to protect the health of workers and children in the buildings, a timeline for when remediations will be completed and what communications are happening with the workers and the community to address concerns of long-term exposure.

“We look forward to working with GSA to swiftly resolve these health concerns and ensure safe conditions within (these) federal buildings,” the letter said.

The administration did not return a request for comment.

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