SPRINGFIELD – Fees are going up for operators of Illinois public swimming pools for the first time in almost 40 years.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck says the higher fees will allow more inspections and quicker responses to complaints, injuries and outbreaks of illness.

The new fees took effect Tuesday with the start of the new year. They result from legislation enacted in August. The law also requires swimming facility engineers, architects and contractors to be pre-qualified by the health department before submitting plans to build public swimming facilities in Illinois.