New radon law applies to residential sales of one to four-unit properties

Effective January 1, the Illinois Radon Awareness Act requires the seller of a residential property (of one to four dwelling units) to provide the buyer with two documents before becoming bound on a contract: 1) a "Disclosure of Information on Radon Hazards" and 2) a pamphlet on radon testing guidelines from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The aim of the legislation is to boost awareness about radon; nothing in the Act requires a seller to test for radon or to engage in “mitigation activities.”