Bill would require parents’ written consent for psychotropic medications
An Illinois lawmaker is pushing a new bill that would ensure parents have the final say before their kids are prescribed psychotropic medications. State Rep. Jed Davis says the proposed bill would require doctors to provide parents with printed FDA Medication Guides before prescribing psychotropic drugs to children. Under the legislation, parents must be given written, informed consent before any prescription is issued.
Northwestern touts lung transplant milestones
Doctors at Northwestern Medicine said medical innovations helped them achieve two milestones 2024. One was the largest number of lung transplants in a single year and the other was the shortest median wait time for transplants. Medical advances allowed doctors to perform a record 148 transplants in 2024, the most in the program’s 10-year history, and reduced the median wait time for a transplant to four days.
Illinois prepares to celebrate nation’s 250th birthday
Preparations are underway for Illinois to join in the nation’s celebration of 250 years of independence in 2026, and the Illinois America 250 Commission is encouraging people across the Prairie State to get involved in planning festivities and educational opportunities to mark the historic moment. The commission is encouraging communities, libraries, schools, historical societies and individuals to be part of efforts to develop an inclusive commemoration of the founding of the United States and Illinois’ role in the nation’s history. Celebrations marking the nation’s independence are expected to take place across the country in 2026, culminating on July 4 of that year.