October 29, 2026
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: Illinois Now Tests Every Child for Lead and Lists Imported Toys as a Source
This is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 25-31, 2026. In its Oct. 26 release for the week, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said the state moved to universal lead testing on July 1, 2026: "As of July 1, 2026, Illinois now conducts lead testing on all children." IDPH says hundreds of Illinois children are found each month to have elevated levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to developmental and learning difficulties and other health problems.
The most common source, IDPH says, is deteriorated lead-based paint in homes built before 1978, and the department estimates "well over one million homes in Illinois" still contain lead-based paint. Lead pipes, faucets and fixtures can put lead in drinking water. And for toy shoppers, IDPH adds that "Lead can also be found in products made outside of the U.S., such as toys, pottery, and make-up."
IDPH's prevention list includes cleaning up paint chips and peeling paint, washing floors, counters and windowsills weekly with soap and water, removing shoes at the door, having your water tested, and "Washing a child's hands, mouth and face, and toys often." IDPH is holding a free public webinar on lead poisoning, testing and prevention on Thursday, Oct. 29, from noon to 1 p.m. Central (10 to 11 a.m. Pacific). Parents anywhere can ask their child's doctor about a blood lead test, especially in an older home.
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health
Colorado Holds Hearing on AI Chatbot Rules: Age Estimates and Teen Protections Start Jan. 1, 2027
The Colorado Attorney General's office held a formal public rulemaking hearing on Oct. 26, 2026, on rules for two state laws, the Automated Decision-Making Technology Act and the Chatbot Safety Act (House Bill 26-1263). Written comments were due by 11:59 p.m. Mountain time that day, and the office says it will consider all comments received by then as it drafts the final rules, which haven't been adopted yet.
According to the attorney general's rulemaking page, the Chatbot Safety Act requires chatbot operators to estimate users' ages, disclose that users are talking with AI and not a human, safeguard teen users against sexually explicit content and "simulated emotional dependence," and offer privacy and account-management tools for minors. The page says the law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The office's Oct. 6 interim draft rules sort users into age groups: under 13, 13 to under 16, 16 to under 18, 18 to under 25, and over 25.
Why it matters for families: the law covers conversational AI services available to the public in Colorado, which could include AI features in apps, games and toys that talk back. Parents who have an AI chat toy or app at home can check whether it says it's AI, what ages it's made for, and what parental controls it offers.
Source: Colorado Attorney General
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