Niles, Please Don't Endanger Our Children's Future: Candidate

Submitted by Caroline McAteer-Fournier

Tuesday, February 20th, I addressed the Niles Park District Board regarding the crumb rubber turf that was installed at the recently constructed LoVerde Sports and Recreation Center in Niles. I stated my concerns with the turf:

"My family and I live in Sauganash Park and as a concerned parent, and mother of an 8 year-old daughter, I ask that you remove the tire bits turf until the EPA can unequivocally state that it safe for our children. I am a candidate for the State Senate 8th District and Niles is in this district. I ask that parents be kept informed. Thank you.” - Caroline McAteer-Fournier

Kids In Danger (or KID), a nonprofit organization based here in Chicago whose mission is, 'to promote the development of safer products, advocate for children and educate the public, especially parents and caregivers, about dangerous children’s products,' has opposed crumb rubber turf due to its high levels of toxicity. There are entire cities, such as New York City, that use alternatives to crumb rubber because of the turf's carcinogens.

In 2016, even the EPA retracted a statement regarding the safety of crumb rubber turf, citing the need for further testing. The safety of our children is a top priority of mine and is something, as a legislator, that I will stand up and fight for. Communities in Illinois need to have a say in what their families are being exposed to in public facilities.

Caroline McAteer-Fournier is running in the March 20 Democratic Party primary in the 8th District of the Illinois State Senate