Lead pipes have been banned since the 1980s, but millions of residents in Illinois and across the Midwest remain exposed to lead from water lines — and the prospects for equitable and quick remediation for low-income families and people of color could be dimming, a Lee Enterprises examination of public records and interviews shows.

Read the full story here and listen to a conversation with reporter Lauren Cross, who provides additional details about the problem and potential solutions.

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is a senior producer for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, he produces the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, co-hosts Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the producer of Across the Sky weather and climate podcast.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.