SPRINGFIELD – Legislation championed by State Senator Laura Fine to strengthen Illinois’ oversight of water contamination has been signed into law, giving the state more robust tools to monitor and track dangerous polyfluoroalkyl substances—known as PFAS or “forever chemicals”—in wastewater, sludge, and biosolids.
“Protecting our water, farmland, and natural resources starts with having accurate information about potential sources of contamination,” said Fine (D‑Glenview). “This law gives Illinois stronger tools to identify PFAS pollution and make informed decisions to safeguard public health.”
PFAS, or per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances—are a class of thousands of human‑made chemicals used for decades in industrial processes and consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Their persistence in the environment allows them to accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms, raising long‑term environmental and health concerns.
Although the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency currently addresses PFAS through existing regulatory programs, limited monitoring requirements have left gaps in the state’s understanding of where contamination originates and how it moves through wastewater treatment systems.
Fine’s law closes those gaps by establishing new monitoring and reporting requirements for PFAS at designated wastewater treatment facilities and land application sites. The law mandates periodic sampling of wastewater discharges, sludge, and biosolids under specified water pollution control permits, providing state regulators with more comprehensive data to assess contamination risks.
“Addressing PFAS contamination requires a proactive approach,” Fine said. “By expanding monitoring efforts and improving access to reliable data, Illinois is taking an important step toward preventing future contamination and protecting the health of residents across the state.”
Senate Bill 3917 was signed into law and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
