Do you have old prescription medicines in your cabinet? Don’t flush them down the toilet or throw them in the trash. Instead, dispose of them Saturday, no questions asked, at DEA-sponsored sites.
Stories by Kristen Thometz
2019 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Coming up: Spooky Zoo, BatFest, Day of the Dead, Pier Pumpkin Lights and more.
Illinois Leads Nation with 137 Vaping-Related Illnesses
In Illinois, there have been 137 vaping-related illnesses – the most in any state across the country, according to the latest data released by federal and state health officials.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 17-20
An evening parade, baked goods, architectural gems and a paranormal conference usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Illinois Officials Launch Anti-Vaping Campaign as More Illnesses Reported
As vaping-related illnesses continue to rise, Illinois health officials are urging people to stop vaping, pointing out the potentially dangerous consequences in a new social media campaign.
Study: Doctors ‘Losing Ground in Battle’ Against Heart Disease
For years, the U.S. saw a steep decline in the number of deaths from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and hypertension – known collectively as cardiometabolic disease. But that downturn has mostly leveled off since 2011, according to researchers.
10 Fall Color Destinations in Illinois This Month
Autumn is upon us, and soon Illinois will be awash in fall foliage. Here’s your guide to when – and where – you can spot those red, orange, yellow and purple leaves during their peak throughout the Land of Lincoln.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 10-13
Jack-o’-lanterns, historic homes, cured meats and elite runners usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Parkinson’s Disease Not Slowing Down Runner’s Marathon Goal
The Oct. 13 race is just one of six marathons Bill Bucklew is running in single a year to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease. The 49-year-old was diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder seven years ago.
Survey: Stress, Drug Abuse Top Issues Facing Chicago Youth
Stress, drug abuse and depression are among the top 10 health issues facing Chicago youth, according to a citywide survey of adults.
102 Cases of Vaping Illnesses in Illinois, Health Officials Report
More than 100 Illinois residents are among 1,080 people across the country who have been hospitalized for severe breathing illnesses related to vaping, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
Researchers Develop Blood Tests to Detect Diabetic Complications, Cancer
The scientist who invented blood tests that can detect diabetic complications and liver cancer sees the tool becoming part of annual blood tests in the future. “That’s the grand picture,” said University of Chicago professor Chuan He.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 3-6
Fall flavors, a community art project, pumpkin patches and a scary film series usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
‘Help is Here’: Statewide Campaign Aims to Reach People Who Use Drugs
Illinois residents open up about their experiences with addiction and recovery in a new statewide video campaign that seeks to connect people who use drugs with services.
CDC Study Links Vaping Illness in Illinois, Wisconsin to THC Cartridges
Interviews with nearly 90 patients in Illinois and Wisconsin reveal that the use of products containing THC may play a role in the outbreak of vaping-related illnesses, according to findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
20-Mile Horse Ride Through Loop Shines a Light on Veteran Suicide
Every day, 20 veterans commit suicide, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This weekend, 14 veterans will ride 20 miles through Chicago on horseback, with each mile representing a life lost to suicide.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 26-29
German brats and beers, aerial acrobats, monster trucks and a bungalow tour usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Find Pumpkin Patches in Chicago and the Suburbs
Sure, you could go to your local grocery store and grab a gourd – but what’s the fun in that? We share a bounty of spots for plucking a pumpkin.
Health Officials: 69 Hospitalizations Linked to Vaping in Illinois
Nearly 70 Illinois residents are among 530 people across the country who have been hospitalized and diagnosed with vaping-related breathing illnesses, according to federal and state health officials. That’s up from 380 a week ago.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 19-22
International artists, lucha libre wrestling, craft brews and cool jazz usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
Allison Arwady Nominated to Become CDPH Commissioner
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has nominated Dr. Allison Arwady to become the next commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. Arwady has been serving as acting commissioner since June.
Lightfoot Proposes Citywide Ban on Flavored E-Cigarette Products
As underage vaping and hospitalizations linked to vaping continue to rise, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is calling for a citywide ban on flavored e-cigarette products. “The dangers are manifesting themselves literally every day. We must act and we will,” she said.
Suburban Teen With Severe Lung Damage Files Lawsuit Against E-Cigarette Maker Juul
Adam Hergenreder, 18, looks like a typical teenager, but his lungs tell a different story. “I’ve been told by medical professionals that my lungs are that of a 70-year-old,” the Gurnee resident said Friday at a press conference.
Health Officials: Hospitalizations in Illinois Linked to Vaping Climbs to 52
The number of people hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness linked to vaping continues to grow in Illinois, with 52 confirmed cases since May, according to new figures released by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Report: Obesity Rates Rising in Illinois, Across the Country
Nearly a third of adults in Illinois were obese in 2017, compared to roughly 28% seven years ago, according to a new report that offers recommendations to curb the trend – including a sugar-sweetened beverage tax.
