Health

Politics

Pritzker pushes plan to erase $1 billion in medical debt for Illinoisans

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his proposal will provide nearly $1 billion in medical debt relief for an initial batch of 340,000 Illinois residents in the first year of a multi-year plan.

By Tina Sfondeles

Prisoners' rights advocates demonstrate at a press conference outside 77 W. Jackson Blvd on Monday, April 15, 2024. Advocates delivered a legal petition asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address unsafe drinking water in Illinois prisons. | Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times

Environment

Rancid, unsafe water at Illinois prisons threatens health, violates human rights, groups allege

Advocates for the incarcerated filed a petition with the U.S. EPA, asking the environmental agency to step in and fix a crisis they say Gov. Pritzker is not addressing.

By Brett Chase

Health

Cicero measles case marks 2nd infection reported in suburban Cook County

The case has no known connection to the Chicago measles outbreak at a migrant shelter, according to health officials.

By Mary Norkol

Israel-Hamas War

Chicago health workers protest American Medical Association's differing response to Gaza and Ukraine

Speakers at a River North protest say the AMA exhibits a ‘double standard’ in calling for a cease-fire in Ukraine but not for one in Gaza. They also question $100,000 in aid sent to Ukraine.

By Violet Miller

Other Views

Investing in Black maternal health is the right move for Illinois

From 2018 to 2020, Black women in Illinois were three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions than white women. This initiative aims to make improvements.

By Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton

Health

Measles outbreak slowing in Chicago

Three cases were detected in the last week after the city recorded more than 50 in less than a month.

By Kade Heather

Pamela Davis, the family paws parent educator and senior/lead trainer at Urban Pooch, walks with Soba to help train Murphy (not pictured here) to be comfortable around other dogs and strangers at Urban Pooch’s training and fitness center in Lincoln Square, Thursday, April 11, 2024. Davis was teaching Murphy, who is owned by Rebekah Reynolds, an agility sports trainer at Urban Pooch, to be more comfortable around other dogs and strangers. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Chicago

Dog trainers stress importance of 'recognizing yellow lights' to prevent aggressive behavior and dog bites

Last year, Illinois ranked eighth in the country in dog bite claims. Insurance companies paid more than $61.8 million for 837 dog-related injury claims, with an average payout of $73,797.

By Mohammad Samra

Greek yogurt in a ceramic bowl with almonds and honey, oatmeal next to a spoon on a brown wooden background. healthy food. natural yoghurt. breakfast.

Eat Well

What are the healthiest types of yogurt?

Plain Greek yogurt and Icelandic skyr are among the best options. But look out for sugar content in all types of yogurt.

By Clare Mulroy | USA Today

The Watchdogs

FDA panel reviewing Abbott heart device included 10 doctors with financial ties to the north suburban health giant

The FDA said nothing about the payments from the North Chicago company when the panel met to assess new technology, a “breakthrough device” for which the agency “may be willing to accept greater uncertainty” when considering risks and benefits.

By David Hilzenrath | KFF Health News and Holly Hacker | KFF Health News

Springfield

Pritzker pitches grants to open new stores in food deserts

The governor announced the second phase of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, which includes a round of grant funding for new grocers in food deserts.

By Mariah Rush

Well

Sleep positions may matter when it comes to back, neck pain and overall good night's rest

There’s not much research to indicate one “best” position for sleeping, one expert says. You should leave it up to your sleeping body to decide.

By Clare Mulroy | USA Today

A medical scan of Lisa Schmidt, who has been treated for TMJ disorders for decades, shows how both of her jaw joints were replaced with artificial implants. Additional implants near her chin were part of her overall treatment.

TMJ horrors include chronic pain, metal jaws, futile treatments

By Brett Kelman | KFF Health News and Anna Werner | CBS News

Former Heartland Alliance employee Olivia Moorer holds up a tote bag from Heartland at her home in Lincoln Park.

Chicago History

Heartbreak? Historic Heartland Alliance to spin off its divisions into separate entities

A spokesman for the nonprofit says the move to break up the organization was necessary to protect the “long-term viability” of the services provided by the organization founded by Jane Addams in 1888.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

LaQuana Johnson wears pink protective gloves as she applies hair relaxer on a client who sits in front of a mirror at Elite Hair Therapy in Chicago.

Inside the court fight over the safety of hair relaxers and Black hair care

By Andy Grimm and Natalie Y. Moore

A spokeswoman says Attorney General Kwame Raoul is worried that rising costs are “putting affordable gas utility service out of reach for a growing number of Chicagoans.” Here, Peoples Gas crew member Joe Albrecht works on replacing gas pipes in the on We

Environment

Unions push back on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to end natural gas connections

A nearly nine-hour hearing of City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy was a preview of a fight to come over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed ordinance to end connections of carbon-dioxide producing natural gas.

By Brett Chase

A dull blue warehouse turned migrant shelter in Pilsen is seen in an industrial neighborhood with grey cloudy skies above.

Health

'Small number' of tuberculosis infections detected at migrant shelters, says city health department

The Chicago Department of Public Health would not reveal the number of TB cases or identify shelters. A health department spokesperson said, “I would not characterize this as an outbreak.”

By Kaitlin Washburn

Chicago

Open-water swim in Chicago River to be held in September, the first in more than 100 years

Five hundred swimmers will participate in the first organized swim event, which will raise funds for ALS research and swim programs for at-risk youth.

By Jessica Ma

Politics

Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough hospitalized for 'serious medical condition'

Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough was hospitalized for serious medical condition, her spokesperson said. “Her family is requesting privacy, and we ask for prayers for the Clerk and her family at this difficult time,” said Sally Daly, deputy clerk of communications.

By Kaitlin Washburn

A tipped prescription bottle with pills coming out of it.

Other Views

Prescription drug affordability boards do more harm than good

If Illinois follows through with legislation to create such a board, some medications could get pulled from pharmacies. People without means to travel out of state or pay cash would be left out.

By Jen Laws

Total Solar Eclipse BusinessesFILE - Viewers use special glasses to watch from San Antonio, as the moon moves in front of the sun during an annular solar eclipse, or ring of fire, Oct. 14, 2023. The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 may be weeks away but businesses are ready for the celestial event with oodles of special eclipse glasses for sale, along with T-shirts and other souvenirs. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) ORG XMIT: NYPM508

Environment

Warby Parker offering free solar eclipse-viewing glasses

The glasses will be available at all Warby Parker locations while supplies last starting Monday until the day of the eclipse April 8.

By Emmanuel Camarillo