Tick-bite emergency room visits are rising as Illinois tick season reaches one of its busiest periods. Federal health data shows weekly tick-bite ER visit rates in every U.S. region except the South Central states are at their highest level for this point in the year since 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illinois tick season brings several species into focus The Illinois Department of Public Health says

WASHINGTON — Illinois hospital price transparency warnings have been issued to 21 facilities as federal officials intensify enforcement of rules requiring hospitals to publish clear pricing data. The notices are part of a nationwide action involving more than 500 hospitals, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Since April 2026, hospitals have received warning letters or, in more serious cases, requests for corrective action plans. Hospitals that do not

Tick bite red meat allergy symptoms are drawing new attention in Illinois as health officials urge residents to take tick prevention seriously during outdoor activity. Alpha-gal syndrome, also known as AGS, is a tick bite-related allergy that can cause some people to react after eating red meat or being exposed to mammal-derived products. Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in most mammals, including cows and pigs, but not in humans. The Centers for Disease Control

An Illinois potential hantavirus case in Winnebago County is renewing attention on a rare but serious U.S. infection risk linked to unsafe rodent cleanup. The Illinois Department of Public Health said on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, that it was investigating a potential case in a Winnebago County resident who had not traveled internationally and was not connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. The person is believed to have been exposed while cleaning a home where rodent dropping

A chemical pipeline leak involving mercaptan prompted safety alerts across parts of Will County, Illinois, after residents reported a strong odor in the southeast suburbs on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Local emergency management officials confirmed that the smell, often described as similar to rotten eggs or a skunk-like scent, was detected in areas including Monee and University Park. Authorities said the leak was identified near the intersection of Hamilton Street and Bond Street in Un

Nearly 1,000 workers across Illinois are expected to lose their jobs during the first half of the year, according to recent data released through the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act. A spreadsheet published by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shows that employers across several industries issued layoff notices affecting a total of 985 employees during November alone. State officials reported that most of the layoffs are scheduled to begin in

Illinois is set to enter 2026 with sweeping changes to state policy as more than 200 new laws take effect at the start of the year, touching nearly every aspect of daily life. The legislation approved by lawmakers spans healthcare access, workplace protections, public safety, education standards, insurance coverage and the growing role of artificial intelligence, marking one of the most expansive legislative updates in recent years. Several of the most consequential measures focus o

Illinois has joined a growing number of states allowing medical aid in dying after Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation authorizing physician-assisted death for certain terminally ill patients. The governor’s office announced Friday that the measure, formally known as the Medical Aid in Dying Act, will take effect on Sept. 12, 2026, giving state health officials time to establish oversight procedures and implementation protocols. The law permits eligible adults diagnosed with termi

A major new addition to pediatric healthcare in the Chicago suburbs has officially opened its doors. Lurie Children’s has unveiled a 75,000 square-foot outpatient center in Schaumburg, designed to expand access to specialized care for children and families living in the northwest suburbs. Located at 1895 Arbor Glen Boulevard, the facility began welcoming patients this week and is expected to serve as a central hub for a wide variety of children’s health services. The new

Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed Executive Order 2025-04, launching a statewide initiative to secure vaccine access across Illinois as the fall respiratory virus season approaches. The governor emphasized that the move was necessary following widespread confusion over shifting federal COVID vaccine guidance and controversial decisions by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Pritzker explained in his announcement that no Illinois family should have to question w

A salmonella outbreak across multiple states in the United States has been linked to certain packaged home delivery meals, prompting a nationwide health alert. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person in Illinois and more than a dozen others across the country were sickened after consuming meals distributed by Metabolic Meals. Sixteen confirmed cases, including seven hospitalizations, have been reported across ten states, though officials warned the actual numbe

Several neighborhoods in Schaumburg are under a boil order following an emergency water main break that caused widespread service disruptions and required an overnight shutdown. Crews worked through the night to make repairs after the break forced road closures and left multiple areas without water. Village officials confirmed that the incident affected properties across more than a dozen locations, including a major entertainment venue on North Roselle Road. Water service was res

An air quality alert has been issued for the Chicago metropolitan area and parts of northwest Indiana as ozone levels remain elevated and wildfire smoke continues to affect the region. The alert was declared by the National Weather Service and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, extending through Tuesday night and affecting several counties in both states. In Illinois, it includes Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, central Cook, Kendall, Grundy, and northern Will Counties. In Indiana, the

Residents of Illinois are being urged to stay vigilant after a dead rabbit found in Tuscola tested positive for tularemia, a bacterial disease that poses a risk to both humans and animals. The Douglas County Health Department confirmed that the rabbit was discovered and tested following reports of unusual animal deaths in the area. Tuscola, located about 25 miles south of Champaign, became the focus of public health attention after the positive result. Adding to the concern, officials also re