Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into a house through cracks in the basement floor and walls, around the openings of the sump pump or through crawl spaces. As part of the Radon Awareness Program, Cook County and the State of Illinois distribute radon information and detector kits.

For more information on radon please refer to the Citizen's Guide to Radon, available through the residents information area of the Village website, or residents may call the Radon Awareness Hotline at (708) 865-6177 and leave your name, address and phone number.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Almost 50% of the homes in Illinois and nearly 30% of the homes in Cook County that were tested by professionals had radon levels higher than what is recommended by the USEPA, according to the Illinois Elmergency Management Agency. The only way to know if you have radon in your home is by testing.

A detector kit can be ordered for the low cost of $7 through the Cook County Department of Environmental Control. It can be obtained by mailing a check or money order, along with your return address to: Cook County Dept. of Environmental Control, 69 West Washington Street, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60602.