Lisle students lobby state, federal government for safer drinking water
Inspired by a series of newspaper stories about prescription drugs tainting the area's water supply, a class of sixth-graders at Lisle Junior High School is on a mission to clean up our drinking water.
Earlier this year, science teacher Natalie Keigher's sixth-grade students were reading newspapers during a unit the class was studying on the environment and they stumbled upon the "Drugs on Tap" series in the Daily Herald.
Concerned about what they were reading, the students agreed something must be done.
"It was too perfect," Keigher said. "We're just reading and trying to get them comfortable about reading a newspaper and finding class relevant material in it, and this story is right there on the front page. Some of the kids became really concerned about what they may actually be drinking."
So they lobbied. They sent concerned letters to the governor, presidential candidates, state representatives and the state's environmental protection agency, asking them to put protective measures in place to keep discarded pharmaceuticals from the water supply.
"We wanted the important people to know that we are worried about what those dangerous drugs are doing to us and to fish and other animals in the water," student Steven Sonnefeldt said. "Writing seems like the best way."
State Rep. Sandra Pihos, a Republican from Glen Ellyn and a former teacher, started writing the students back, but was so taken by the concern voiced in their letters, she decided to meet with them in their class.
"You are obviously very passionate about the issue, and at least concerned enough to write me these wonderful letters," Pihos told the students while teaching them about lobbying and being advocates.
"You got me on board. Your letters got me thinking about this issue and I'm on board."
Pihos also encouraged them to keep up with House Bill 2277, which is being debated in the legislature and calls for pharmacies to have a system in place for the proper disposal of all drugs and needles sold there.
"I would encourage you to lobby other lawmakers, just like you lobbied me, to convince them to approve the legislation," Pihos told the students.
She also put the students in contact with high school students in Pontiac who created the Pontiac Prescription Drug Disposal Program, which locally does much of what the legislation calls for.
Student Maddie Gwilliam said she would like to help with a similar project in the Lisle area.
Keigher said several students likely will form a before or after-school club to get the effort kick-started.
"This has all been amazing," she said. "They're 12 and are being active and making a difference, and it started just by reading the newspaper. That makes them feel great and I'm really proud of them."