Illinois quick hits: Campaign discourages ‘road rage;’ state health plan filed

Campaign discourages ‘road rage’Illinois State Police are launching a public awareness campaign focused on preventing road rage incidents.The campaign, called “Road Rage. Don’t Engage,” is designed to educate the public on the signs of road rage and tips on how to prevent it. The campaign will use social media, along with billboards and radio ads, in strategic markets. According to a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Study, nearly 80% of drivers reported aggressive behaviors while driving.State health plan filedThe Illinois Department of Public Health has delivered the final versions of the State Health Improvement Plan to the Illinois General Assembly.The documents were delivered ahead of the statutory Dec. 31 deadline, and together form the basis of Healthy Illinois 2028, a five-year plan to address major public health concerns and improve the overall wellbeing of Illinoisans.The assessment identified five major priorities to be addressed over the next five years, including chronic disease, COVID-19 and infant health.Wrongful death lawsuit filed A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the McHenry County Sheriff’s office and a third party medical provider following the death of a 56-year-old Marengo man. Donald Hamer was taken to the jail on misdemeanor DUI charges after crashing his car into a ditch in September 2022. While locked up for five days, the lawsuit states his health declined to the point he could barely function. Eventually he was taken to a hospital where he later died.