Got a Test Question or a Result? Call Bill.
Whether you are still figuring out how to test, you just got a number from an inspection, or you want to understand the EPA action level in plain language, start with a real conversation. Bill will walk you through it.
If you have results
Have the pCi/L number, address, and any deadline ready. Bill can talk through what the result means and whether mitigation is the likely next step.
If you still need a test
We are glad to point you toward free or low-cost kits and, for real estate, licensed measurement options. Then call us when the number is in.
If the result is elevated
At or above 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA recommends action. American Radon Systems designs and installs the mitigation system that gets the level down.
Call First. We Will Sort Out the Next Step.
A lot of people call before they know exactly what they need. That is fine. Bill can explain short-term tests, real estate testing, what the EPA action level means, and what a mitigation system looks like if the result comes back high.
Our day-to-day work is designing and installing residential mitigation systems. On the phone, we are happy to help you understand testing and results so you are not left guessing.
The CDC notes that testing is the only way to know whether radon levels are high in a specific home. If you already have a high result, we can look at the home and design the system.
Free or Low-Cost Test Options
Availability changes, so always check current offers. These are common starting points for homeowners in our area.
- Suburban Cook County: Cook County Department of Public Health often offers free mail-in kits to suburban Cook residents. Request form. Chicago city residents are usually directed to the American Lung Association store.
- Will County: Will County Health Department typically sells kits for about $8 at offices in Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Monee (kit, prepaid lab, and report). Will County radon program.
- American Lung Association: Online short-term and long-term kits, sometimes discounted for Illinois residents while supplies last. ALA radon kit store. Illinois radon info also at lung.org/il/radon-illinois. Hotline often cited: 1-800-325-1245.
- Your public library: Some libraries loan electronic radon monitors. Many do not. Call your local branch and ask.
- Hardware stores / mail-order: Short-term kits are widely available if you need something today.
- Real estate / closing: A licensed measurement professional is often the better fit for inspection and transaction paperwork. Then call us about the mitigation side.
Programs run out of stock, especially around January Radon Action Month. When you have a number, call Bill and we will talk through the home.
What to Tell Bill When You Call
- The radon result, if you have one.
- Whether you are buying, selling, or just a homeowner.
- Whether the test was for a real estate transaction.
- The city and basic foundation type: basement, crawl space, slab, or combination.
- Whether there is a sump pit, finished basement, or deadline.
Related radon guides
What Is Radon?
A calm overview of radon, testing, and the 4.0 pCi/L action level.
Before You Finish Your Basement, Test for Radon
Why testing before a remodel can make planning easier.
Buying or Selling a Home With Radon
What buyers and sellers usually need when radon shows up in a sale.
Buyer-Side Radon Help
Get a mitigation quote during the inspection window.
Seller-Side Radon Help
Call early after a high buyer radon test before closing.
Helpful official radon resources
Last reviewed by American Radon Systems: June 2026
- EPA explanation of the 4.0 pCi/L action level
Federal guidance on the action level used when deciding whether a home should be fixed.
- CDC testing for radon in your home
Public-health guidance on when to test, how results are measured, and what retesting can show.
- Illinois IEMA-OHS radon publications
Illinois-specific radon publications and homeowner materials.
Reviewed by Bill Dahlstrom, Illinois radon mitigation license RNM2018212.
Have a Question About Testing?
You do not need to have every answer before calling. If we can help, we will. If you need a tester first, we will tell you that.
Testing Questions Homeowners Actually Ask
We do not sell testing. We help you understand results and point you toward kits and licensed measurement when you need them.
What is the EPA action level for radon?
The U.S. EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. At or above that, EPA recommends fixing the home. EPA also suggests considering action between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L. American Radon Systems follows that guidance without scare tactics. Your own test result is the number that matters for your home.
Can my neighbor’s test tell me about my home?
No. Levels can differ house to house, even next door, because soil, foundations, and air pressure differ. A neighbor’s high or low result is a reason to test your own home, not a substitute for your number.
How do I test my home for radon?
You can use a short-term kit, a long-term kit, or a professional measurement. Place the device in the lowest lived-in level of the home and follow the kit or tester instructions, including closed-house conditions when required. American Radon Systems does not sell testing. We publish guidance and refer homeowners to licensed measurement options. If you already have a result, call or text Bill.
Where can I get a free or low-cost radon test kit in Illinois?
Many Illinois counties and health departments offer free or low-cost kits at certain times of year. Will County and suburban Cook programs change, so check your county health department. The American Lung Association also sells kits. Libraries sometimes loan consumer monitors. We do not sell kits, but we can help you understand a result once you have one.
What is the difference between a test kit and a home radon detector?
A kit is usually a short-term or long-term device sent to a lab, or a charcoal canister used under instructions. A consumer detector runs continuously and shows trends. Neither replaces a careful reading of results for real estate. In Illinois, professional measurement is licensed separately from mitigation. Monitors are useful for patterns; a solid test is still how decisions get made.
Does American Radon Systems test for radon?
No. We are a state licensed mitigation company. Illinois licenses testing and mitigation separately. We design, install, repair, and warranty mitigation systems, and we educate about testing. If you need a test, we can point you toward appropriate options. If you already have elevated results, send them over with your address.
My home tested high for radon. What do I do next?
Stay calm. Note the number, where the test was placed, and any closing date. Then call or text Bill at (815) 370-9682 (that is his cell), or send your info on the contact form. You do not need to know what system you need. Bill looks at the home, explains the next step, and prices before work begins.
Should I retest after mitigation?
Yes. A post-mitigation test is how you confirm the level after the system has been running. Follow the timing on your paperwork (often after the system has run for a short period). Send American Radon Systems a copy of the result so your file is complete.
How much does radon testing cost near me?
Kit and professional measurement prices vary by county program, lab, and whether it is real estate testing. American Radon Systems does not sell testing, so we do not quote test prices. County kits are often the lowest-cost path for homeowners. For real estate, many people use a licensed measurement professional. Once you have a number, we handle the mitigation side.
Should I test for radon before finishing the basement?
Yes. Testing before drywall and ceilings makes routing and planning easier if mitigation is needed. Remodeling can also change how the lower level is used. If levels are elevated, handle mitigation with the finish plan in mind.