This film follows filmmaker Bobby Bailey and a team through Africa to tell the story of malaria and examine its effects on the lives of mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. Malaria is preventable, but causes nearly 500 million illnesses each year and kills nearly one million of those who become infected – most...
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The Cornucopia Institute’s Organic Soy Report and accompanying Scorecard rates companies that market organic soy foods, such as soymilk, tofu and “veggie burgers.” The scorecard rates most major brands based on 10 criteria that are important to organic consumers. The report separates companies that follow the spirit and letter of the organic law from...
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By Jennifer Ensign Kim Marr recalls that she was 19 years old and four months pregnant when her husband first hit her. She didn’t know what had happened because she was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. Marr said she quickly forgave her attacker. “I heard those magic words: ‘I promise I’ll never...
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The problem: HIV cases in Illinois are rising, but funding in next year’s newly proposed budget does not meet the need. The solution: bi-partisan effort to produce a smart budget — which hasn’t been the state’s forte in the past. “If that funding is not produced, we will unquestionably all see 500 to 1,000...
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People convicted of drug crimes in Illinois could face an automatic six-month suspension of their drivers’ licenses, a proposal that is drawing sharp criticism from drug policy analysts. House Bill 5720 would require drug offenders to stay out of the driver’s seat for a period of six months for the first offense and one...
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Cigarettes could disappear from Illinois drug stores under a new bill proposed before the state legislature. State Rep. Marlow H. Colvin, (D-Chicago) introduced a bill last month that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products in hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. If passed, the bill would take effect in 2011. Offenders would face a fine...
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Eating a Big Mac, a Whopper or a juicy Potbelly sandwich could come with a reminder for consumers in Illinois. State Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago) introduced a bill last month that would force chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Potbelly to disclose on their menu boards the number of calories contained in...
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Nancy Buckley knows all too well the ill effects of bad air. In the past year, the 44-year-old has been hospitalized three times due to severe asthma attacks. “It’s like somebody sticking a pillow over you and you’re trying to breathe through it,” said Buckley, who lives on the North Side of Chicago. “Treatments...
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Chicago recently hosted the first of three public hearings required by last year’s legislative bill HB3767, which created the Obesity Prevention Initiative Act. This calls for the Illinois Department of Public Health to find solutions to the state’s obesity epidemic. The next two public hearings take place in Springfield on March 8 and Carbondale on March...
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When Elaine Mohamed took her son, Zachary Vanderslice, for his regularly scheduled check-up, doctors found high levels of lead in the then 9-month-old child’s system. Mohamed, who lives in a 1920s property in East Rogers Park, hadn’t noticed any unusual symptoms in Zachary, now 8. She soon learned, however, that her apartment was filled...
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