The state of Illinois’ Green Clean Schools Act went into effect May 9, and even though the legislation is aimed at increasing health standards in elementary and high schools, it could prove a temporary financial burden for school districts.

The act mandates that schools purchase “green” supplies in six categories, including bathroom cleaners and hand soaps. While schools do not have to throw out their previously purchased supplies, all supplies in use must be “green” when the new school year resumes in the fall.

The goal of the legislation is to provide an academic environment free of the respiratory health risks that are associated with current cleaning products, said Mark Bishop, deputy director of the Healthy Schools Campaign.

“It’s about the children’s health and providing cleaner environments which ultimately leads to better education,” Bishop said. “It’s an important component to keeping children healthy and in the classroom.”

Bishop also said that schools should not have any increased financial burden because of the way the products work. “Green” cleaning products are sold in a concentrated manner and are then diluted depending on what job they’re supposed to be doing.

Per gallon cost is higher, but once diluted the cost becomes less, he added.

“It’s not apples to apples, but overall a green cleaning program does cost less,” Bishop said.

Yet John Ayers, the director of operations for Champaign’s Unit 4 school district, said Unit 4 plans on spending seven to eight thousand dollars more than usual to purchase “green” products. The district is working with three or four different vendors to find the cheapest means of gaining supplies.

“Once these things are out on the market the price will go down,” Ayers said. “It’s all about supply and demand.”

Bishop agrees with this concept, saying that the market could even begin to drive the popularity of “green” products once prices fall.

For Bishop, the combination of decreased prices in the future and health benefits makes the bill ideal.

“This bill has really created a marketplace of incentives for schools to go green,” Bishop said. “This is a frontier where, quite honestly, they can make money.”

Ayers said there is another financial incentive for schools created by the bill.

“You’ve got a lot of students and staffers that have allergies,” Ayers said. “If they’re going to be in school two to three more days, which creates better attendance, that creates dollars.”