Both residents and lawmakers say the bill is a positive step, but much work remains.

Residents say they're grateful for the progress made to date, but continue to struggle with the break up of their social networks.

Lead paint was found on the exterior of 16 out of 27 emergency units.

House Bill 1344 designates East Chicago as "an area of special concern," and allocates resources for water and soil testing in the city.

The NAACP and East Chicago residents are calling on the EPA for more resources as Administrator Scott Pruitt visits the lead-contaminated neighborhood.

Most layoffs will occur in May, when the semester ends.

The EPA has maintained it can't move forward with cleanup until it gets more information, but the mayor says remediation needs to be to a residential standard.

Fifty-six families still live in the lead-tainted public housing complex, with 19 waiting to appeal their temporary relocation assignments.

Many asked about the remediation process, but some expressed concerns over the EPA's commitment to residents in the lead-contaminated Superfund.

Grievance hearings will take place on Monday and Tuesday, but the deadline has taken a toll, forcing some residents to settle for less-than-ideal circumstances.