Throughout the school year, exchange students attend a local high school, participate in community life, and immerse themselves in American customs.
Photo: African Student Association/Unsplash
As families across the country plan for the school year ahead, one nonprofit is inviting them to take part in a cultural exchange that reaches far beyond the classroom. World Heritage International Student Exchange Programs is currently seeking host families willing to welcome international students into their homes for the upcoming school year.
The experience is more than just providing a bed and meals—it’s a chance to share daily life, build lifelong friendships, and foster deeper understanding between cultures. Students, aged 15 to 18, come from over 60 countries, including France, Japan, Italy, Australia, and Denmark. They are carefully selected for their academic performance, English proficiency, and strong personal character.
Five really good reasons to be a host:
1. Cultural Enrichment at Home
You don’t have to travel the world to experience it. Hosting a student brings another culture straight into your living room. Experience new foods, new traditions, even fun phrases in a different language.
2. Lasting International Friendships
You’re not just hosting a student, you’re gaining a new family member. Many families stay in touch for years, visiting each other and celebrating milestones from across the globe.
3. Personal Growth and Family Connection
Welcoming someone new into your space teaches patience and understanding. It often brings families closer together as you all work as a team to make the experience great.
4. Educational Opportunities for All
Your kids (and you!) can learn so much just by chatting at the dinner table. Exchange students bring new perspectives that can spark great conversations and open up your view of the world.
5. Giving Back Without Financial Strain
You provide the home and meals, and the student covers their own spending money and insurance. It’s a rewarding way to make a difference—without breaking the bank.
Host families are diverse and can include empty nesters, single parents, same-sex couples, retirees, or young professionals. What they all share is a willingness to provide a safe, supportive environment that offers encouragement and cultural exchange. The students arrive with their own spending money and health insurance, making hosting financially accessible to most households.
Throughout the school year, exchange students attend a local high school, participate in community life, and immerse themselves in American customs while also sharing their own. For many families, the experience brings a new level of global awareness right into the living room.
In addition to hosting opportunities, World Heritage also connects American students with similar experiences abroad through its study programs, offering them a chance to explore life in another country for a summer, semester, or school year.
Families interested in hosting or exploring study abroad programs can visit www.host.world-heritage.org or contact Debra Garbon at (800) 888-9040 or info@worldheritage.org for more information.
Tagged: how to host an international exchange student, cultural exchange programs for American families, student exchange host family opportunities, benefits of hosting foreign exchange students, nonprofit student exchange programs in the U.S., World Heritage International host family info, exchange students and American high schools
Just like tipping a server or barista, tipping your housekeeper is part of good travel etiquette.
Asad Photo Maldives
Taking off to vacation for a few weeks is great for stress release, getting to know a loved one better, and good overall for mental health. While you are relaxing and decompressing from all that ails you, remember there is someone working hard to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Vacation season is here, and travelers everywhere are packing bags, booking hotel rooms, and looking forward to a break. But while you’re relaxing poolside or enjoying a freshly made bed, there’s someone working hard behind the scenes to make your stay more comfortable: your hotel housekeeper.
Most guests don’t think twice about tipping a server at a restaurant or a driver for a ride, but many forget or don’t realize that housekeeping staff also deserve recognition for their work. Leaving a few dollars behind in your hotel room might not seem like much, but to a housekeeper, it can be a meaningful boost in both income and morale.
Why Your Tip Matters More Than Ever
In this environment of staffing shortages, increased workloads, and ongoing wage struggles, tipping isn’t just a nicety, it’s a real way to make a difference.
1. Housekeepers Work Hard
Cleaning multiple rooms a day is physically demanding. It requires speed, strength, and attention to detail. A small tip is a simple way to acknowledge that hard work.
2. They’re Not Paid Much
For workers earning close to minimum wage, tips can make the difference between getting by and falling behind.
3. They Make Your Stay More Comfortable
From fresh towels to clean sheets to a spotless bathroom, housekeepers create the environment that makes your hotel room feel like a break from the real world.
4. Tips Encourage Better Morale
A few dollars shows someone that their effort is seen and appreciated. That’s powerful motivation—especially in a job that can feel invisible.
5. It’s a Common Courtesy
Just like tipping a server or barista, tipping your housekeeper is part of good travel etiquette. Many travelers leave $2–$5 per night. If you’re staying multiple days, consider tipping daily, as the staff may rotate.
A small gesture with a big impact
It might seem like a small thing, but leaving a tip for your housekeeper helps support the people who make your trip more enjoyable. At a time when housekeepers are doing more work for the same (or even less) pay, your gratitude makes a real impact.
Photo:Liliana Drew/PEXELS
Hotel housekeepers work hard to make the guest experience pleasant. Unfortunately, during peak travel months they can be overworked and underappreciated.
And in today’s hospitality industry, where housekeepers are more overworked and under-supported than ever, that small gesture matters even more.
The hidden workers who keep hotels running
Hotel housekeepers are the backbone of the guest experience. They clean 10 to 15 rooms per shift working under tight time constraints and physically demanding conditions. With the chronic understaffing in the industry today, they typically clean even more. They lift heavy linens, scrub bathroom floors, replace used items, and sanitize spaces to keep guests safe and comfortable.
Despite this essential role, housekeepers are among the lowest-paid workers in the hospitality sector, often earning between $8 to $15 an hour, depending on the region. Many rely on tips to help cover basic needs like groceries, gas, and childcare.
And yet, unlike other roles in hospitality, housekeepers usually work in the background. Guests rarely see them, and because of that, their work often goes unnoticed or unappreciated.
How the pandemic changed everything
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States in 2020, the hotel industry was one of the hardest-hit sectors. At its worst, an estimated 70% of all hotel staffs was reportedly laid off or placed on leave, leading to nearly 400,000 jobs vanishing between February 2020 and August 2022.
The upheaval pushed many hospitality workers to rethink their career paths. Tired of low pay, long hours, and unpredictable schedules, many moved into retail, warehouse jobs, or started small businesses where working conditions were more stable and allowed for more time to engage in social activities or raise families.
Today, the effects are still being felt.
A recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association revealed that nearly 90% of U.S. hotels face a staffing shortage, and more than a third are dealing with severe understaffing. Housekeeping is the most affected area with 43% of hotels reporting it as the hardest role to fill. An estimated 115,000 hotel jobs remain unfilled since the initial pandemic cuts.
That shortage means fewer hands to do more work and more pressure on the housekeepers who continue to work hard to keep up on the daily demand.
Immigration crackdowns and staffing issues
The problem didn’t start with the pandemic. Years of immigration crackdowns, especially during the Trump administration, added to the industry’s hiring struggles. The hospitality sector, especially housekeeping, has long relied on immigrant labor, including many undocumented workers.
Photo: Rodrigo Salomón Cañas/Pixabay
A 2020 report by the Center for Migration Studies of New York estimated that U.S. hotels employed about 137,000 undocumented immigrants. But with heightened threats of deportation and anti-immigrant rhetoric, many left the workforce or the country altogether.
According to Business Travel News, industry leaders say that these immigration policies worsened existing labor shortages. Even in 2024, hotel employment remains roughly 200,000 jobs short of pre-COVID levels.
So before you check out of your next hotel room, take a moment to say thank you. Leave a few dollars on the nightstand with a quick note if you like. It’s not just a kind gesture, it’s a small way to let the staff know that you appreciated their work in making your stay clean and comfortable. For many, your tip is a show of respect and compassion for the essential workers who work hard behind the scenes.
Tagged: Travel, Vacation Travel, Summer Vacation, Hotel Housekeeping, Hospitality Industry
Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day. Senior medaled in three events at Saturday's state track finals.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
North Shore Country Day's Brian E. Smith turns to acknowledge the roar of the crowd after winning the Class 1A 400m Dash title on Saturday at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Finals in Charleston. CHARLESTON - North Shore Country Day senior Brian E. Smith II closed out his high school track career with a historic finish at the IHSA Track and Field State Finals, held May 29–31 at Eastern Illinois University. Smith claimed the Class 1A state championship in the 400-meter dash, turning in a winning time of 48.47 seconds, good for the third-fastest 400m time across all three IHSA classes.
With the title, Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day, a private school of just over 500 students in Winnetka. His performance came during what proved to be one of the driest and mildest weather weekends the state finals have seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith advanced to the 400m finals after posting his personal-best time of 48.12 seconds in Thursday’s qualifying round. In the championship race, he outran Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley’s Evan Landers-Kristensen, who placed second at 49.06 seconds, and Casey-Westfield’s Hayden Parcel, who took third in 49.36.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Running past Cumberland's Reid Carlen, Smith runs to a second place finish in heat 2 of the 100m Dash prelims on Thursday. He qualified for the championship race with the sixth fastest time at 10.89 after running a 11.10 at sectionals. Read more 2025 Sentinel state track coverage here.
Smith also competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, placing in both to cap a rare triple-threat showing. In the 100m final, he finished fifth with a time of 10.99 seconds. Morrison junior Brady Anderson won the event in 10.74, followed by Lena-Winslow’s Alec Schlichting (10.78), Morrison’s Levi Milder (10.92), and Red Bud’s Gavin Baldwin (10.96).
Later in the day, Smith took on the 200m dash and finished seventh with a time of 22.19. Milder secured his second gold medal of the meet with a personal-best 21.44 in the event.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Smith stands above the 400m Dash finalist during the awards
Smith was one of only two athletes in the state to place in all three sprint events—an accomplishment that underscored his consistency, versatility, and determination in a highly competitive field.
North Shore Country Day’s representation at the state meet wasn’t limited to Smith. Sophomore Kaeden Ackley advanced to compete in the triple jump, gaining valuable experience on the big stage. On the girls’ side, junior Reese Meyers earned a sixth-place finish in the Class 1A 400-meter dash a week earlier, clocking in at 57.94.
“We’re incredibly proud of all three student-athletes for representing North Shore on such a competitive level,” said Athletic Director and coach Patrick McHugh. “It was truly an amazing performance.”
Smith’s 400m state title marked a memorable conclusion to a spring season built on personal milestones, steady progress, and a strong sense of school pride.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Smith crosses the finish line the Class 1A 200m Dash prelims. The senior and one other runner ran in all three short-distance races in the 2025 state finals.
Tagged:North Shore Country Track & Field, State Track, Boys Track & Field, State Champion, Class 1A Sprinter
If you enjoy eating and tasting unique flavors from around the world. Here are five cities that should be at the top of your list.
For anyone who truly enjoys good food, choosing where to live can shape everyday happiness. Certain places offer incredible meals on every corner, from street stalls to high-end restaurants. Finding cities you should move to if you love food means looking for diversity, quality, and unique local flavors.
These five cities provide not only delicious dishes but also food experiences that can inspire and satisfy all tastes. So, whether it’s fresh seafood, exotic spices, or creative culinary twists, the right city can turn eating into an exciting adventure every day.
New York City: A global feast for every taste
New York City offers endless dining options from every corner of the world. Street vendors, diners, and fine dining restaurants fill the city’s neighborhoods with rich flavors. Home-cooked meals and famous food markets both play important roles here. Many recipes and food traditions bring the family together during special occasions or simple weeknight dinners.
Photo: Hussein Haidar Salman/PEXELS
The city’s energy pushes chefs to innovate while honoring classic dishes. Whether craving a slice of pizza or a Michelin-starred experience, choices are endless. New Yorkers enjoy a fast pace, but good food always finds time. This city invites food lovers to explore constantly and enjoy new culinary discoveries every day.
San Francisco: A Food Lover’s Dream with a Unique Local Flavor
San Francisco delivers a vibrant food scene that blends tradition with innovation. From fresh seafood by the bay to globally inspired flavors shaped by its diverse communities, the city offers something for every palate. But beyond the food itself, settling here involves more than just eating well.
To truly make San Francisco feel like home, explore neighborhoods until you find one that fits your lifestyle, get familiar with nearby shops and cafes, and connect with people who share your interests. Local farmers markets, food trucks, and neighborhood eateries aren’t just about meals—they’re ways to build routine and community. Embracing the city’s culture through its food can help you feel grounded in your new surroundings. Whether you’re tasting iconic sourdough or discovering a new fusion dish, San Francisco turns everyday dining into a way to belong.
Photo: Kassandre Pedro/Pexels
Tokyo: Tradition meets modern flavors
Tokyo offers an impressive mix of food experiences that draws many people in. This city combines ancient recipes with innovative twists. So, if you ever decide to come to or live in this city, here are some highlights you should be aware of:
Fresh sushi from the Tsukiji market
Authentic ramen shops in every neighborhood
Street food like takoyaki and yakitori
Elegant kaiseki dining that honors seasonal ingredients
Trendy cafes offering unique desserts and drinks
Among the cities you should move to if you love food, Tokyo ranks high for its balance of tradition and new tastes. The food culture encourages trying something different daily. Exploring local markets and small eateries leads to surprising discoveries. The city’s culinary world invites those seeking variety, quality, and rich flavors all in one place. It offers a constant flow of fresh ideas alongside deep-rooted customs.
Bangkok: The heart of street food delights
Bangkok offers an exciting street food scene filled with bold, spicy flavors. Food stalls and markets serve authentic dishes like pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice. The city’s food culture emphasizes freshness and bold tastes. Food lovers often seek out perfectly grilled seafood, a local specialty found in many night markets. Walking through neighborhoods, aromas of herbs and spices fill the air.
Bangkok’s food options cater to all budgets and cravings. Exploring small eateries reveals recipes passed down for generations. The city’s fast pace contrasts with the relaxed way food is enjoyed. Every meal feels like a celebration of rich ingredients and local traditions. Bangkok remains a top choice for those eager to experience flavorful street food and authentic Thai cuisine.
Photo: Chait Goli/PEXELS
Barcelona: One of the best Cities you should move to if you love food
Barcelona offers diverse food experiences that excite every palate. The city mixes old recipes with modern twists. With that said, here are some foods that food lovers in Barcelona should try:
Traditional tapas like patatas bravas and jamón ibérico
Fresh seafood dishes from the Mediterranean coast
Seasonal Catalan specialties made with local ingredients
Creative plates at new, affordable eateries
Sweet treats such as crème Catalana
The city continues to attract chefs who respect traditions while adding new flavors. Exploring markets like La Boqueria reveals a wide range of fresh produce and spices. Barcelona’s food scene invites curiosity and rewards every visit with delicious discoveries. This city combines a rich culinary history with a growing number of exciting new restaurants. It makes dining here both familiar and surprising, perfect for food lovers ready to explore.
How to find a great city for food lovers
Finding the right city for food lovers means looking beyond famous dishes and trends. Start by exploring local markets and street food options where simple meals, like potato salad, reveal regional flavors. Next, check for a variety of restaurants that offer both traditional recipes and creative new dishes. Pay attention to places with fresh ingredients and a culture that values cooking. Also, consider cities where food brings people together regularly, whether for casual bites or festive meals.
Reading reviews and food blogs helps spot hidden gems. Finally, experiencing the city’s food firsthand through visits or tasting tours reveals what makes each place special for food lovers. This approach ensures the choice fits personal tastes and offers daily culinary adventures.
Discover your next food destination
Finding the best cities you should move to if you love food means looking beyond just a meal. These places offer the chance to explore new tastes, try fresh ingredients, and enjoy cooking traditions that keep evolving. Moving to a city with great food means opening the door to endless flavor discoveries and memorable dining moments. For food lovers, location matters as much as passion, and choosing a city with a rich food culture can make every day more enjoyable and full of delicious surprises.
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Arguing the U.S. Supreme Court should have taken the Maryland case, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote AR-15s are arms protected by the Second Amendment.
Photo: Wyatt Dilley/Unsplash
Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas wrote: "Our Constitution allows the American people – not the government – to decide which weapons are useful for self-defense." SCOTUS refused to take a look at the issue of states regulating which guns people can or can't own legally.
By Greg Bishop.::. Associate Editor The Center Square
Challenges to local and state gun bans in Illinois could be the next case in front of the U.S. Supreme court on the “AR-15 issue.”
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a challenge to Maryland’s ban, The Center Square reported. In the order, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said whether a state can ban an AR-15 is a question he expects the court to take up, but not right now.
“Although the Court today denies certiorari, a denial of certiorari does not mean that the Court agrees with a lower-court decision or that the issue is not worthy of review,” Kavanaugh wrote.
Arguing the U.S. Supreme Court should have taken the Maryland case, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote AR-15s are arms protected by the Second Amendment.
“Tens of millions of Americans own AR–15s, and the ‘overwhelming majority’ of them ‘do so for lawful purposes, including self-defense and target shooting,’” Thomas wrote. “Our Constitution allows the American people – not the government – to decide which weapons are useful for self-defense.”
Second Amendment Foundation’s Alan Gottlieb said the justices had a full docket this term but is confident the issue will be addressed.
“I really like what the Supreme Court justices [had] written,” Gottlieb told The Center Square Tuesday. “That's why I have really good faith that they're going to take another case … The question is when. They really overloaded this session and it's a real problem.”
Kavanaugh noted several other cases pending in the federal appeals courts, including a case challenging Cook County and Illinois’ ban. Gottlieb is a plaintiff in Viramontes v. Cook County.
“It's a great possibility that can be one that gets to the Supreme Court or another case out of Illinois, because there are so many of them,” he said. “They're already even ahead of schedule on that one. It's very likely an Illinois case is what the Supreme Court will hear.”
Monday, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s ruling in favor of the state and the county, queuing the Viramontes case for a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Southern District case where a judge found the state’s gun ban unconstitutional is pending in the appeals courts with plaintiffs scheduled to file their reply brief Friday.
CHARLESTON - Ignoring the plight of Prairie Central's Tage Fehr next to him, St. Joseph-Ogden's Kyler Swanson clears a hurdle while running in 110 High Hurdle prelims on Friday at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Finals. Swanson, a senior, turn in a time of 15.84, finishing sixth in his heat and 24th overall at O'Brien Field to cap his track & field career for the Spartans.
Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA boys state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, SJO Track and Field, St. Joseph-Ogden track, State track qualifier
CHARLESTON - Dwight's Graham Meister throw the shot during the Class 1A Shot Put preliminaries. Meister led the field of 36 competitors at the end of the first day of competition with his longest throw of 17.81m.
I Fuel is a breath of fresh air in the category of children’s books on energy sustainability.
by Esther Aardsma
"As dinosaurs thump about, my life begins," opens I Fuel, Kelly Rice Schmitt’s attempt to explain to children the complex web of energy topics.
Where do gasoline and jet fuel come from? How do our lights turn on? Why do we seek alternative energy sources? These questions are answered at a young child’s level in this 2024 picture book. Schmitt starts by describing the formation of crude oil, then delves into the harvesting, refining, and delivery processes, and finally explores alternative energy sources, hinting at possibilities for the future. Several pages of notes at the end of the book provide additional resources for older kids and adults interested in facts about different types of fossil fuels and descriptions of various careers in the energy industry.
The text of I Fuel is pleasant, almost poetic; the illustrations are colorful and simple, perhaps slightly reminiscent of a less fanciful Eric Carle. The book is devoid of foul language or romantic content. Graphic content is limited to cartoon-like illustrations: a man with a pacemaker in his heart (we see inside his body as a doctor listens to his heart); a boy with a bionic leg; rescue workers cleaning up an oil spill and rescuing oil-logged wildlife; and an overheated, dirty, reddened-sky scene intended to evoke sadness.
I Fuel is a breath of fresh air in the category of children’s books on energy sustainability. Schmitt’s book aims to present a balanced viewpoint on the topic, focusing more on teaching facts than on indoctrination into specific beliefs or actions. The negatives of careless fossil fuel usage are recognized and discussed, but Schmitt also creates space to celebrate the achievements recent generations have made through the use of fossil fuels.
"One day [people] may not need me [crude oil/fossil fuel] at all," Schmitt concludes, "but until then…I fuel!"
Esther Aardsma, a Champaign County native, currently resides in Thomasboro with her busy family. When she can, she pursues her passion for creativity, especially with words--and shares that love through editing, coaching one-on-one, and teaching classes.
Tagged: children's book about energy, teaching kids about fossil fuels, energy sustainability for kids, Kelly Rice Schmitt I Fuel review
St. Thomas More’s Hunter Madigan wins sectional title; leads local field to IHSA state tennis finals.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Thomas More's Hunter Madigan plays in last year's park district Labor Day tournament. The junior won last weekend' sectional title and heads to the IHSA state tournament this weekend to face the best players in Illinois. CHAMPAIGN - Three singles players and three area doubles teams are set to represent the Champaign-Urbana area at the IHSA Boys Tennis State Finals, which begin Thursday across the Chicago suburbs.
St. Thomas More junior Hunter Madigan headlines the local contingent after capturing the Class 1A sectional singles title last weekend at Centennial High School. Madigan cruised through the bracket, dropping just two games in three straight-set victories. He opened with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Luke Abadeer of Cornerstone Christian Academy, then handled Urbana University's Swapnil Kumar 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals.
In the championship match, Madigan faced University High’s Jameson LaFave in a highly anticipated battle between two of the area’s top four singles players. Madigan prevailed 6-3, 6-1 to claim the sectional crown.
"My opponent played very well," LaFave said recounting the championship match. "Hunter Madigan hit some great shots, stayed consistent, and ran me out of the match."
Despite the loss, LaFave showed maturity beyond his years after the loss.
"It was a good fight in the opening set. He was just the better player that day. It was a tough loss," he said. "You got to learn from them and move on to state."
LaFave, a freshman in his first varsity season, still secured a state berth along with three U-High teammates. Senior Robert Gao and junior Kyle Fan qualified for the doubles draw, while Kumar advanced with a third-place singles finish.
Madigan will open state play against Dunlap's Harmin Patel. LaFave, seeded No. 15 in the 1A bracket, draws Brother Rice freshman Nathan Miller. Kumar faces Andrew Mumford of Marmion Academy in the first round, while Gao and Fan will take on Wauconda's Sean Lenhart and Marshawn Gallego.
Chargers' doubles team joins area players at state
Centennial seniors Tyler Luchinski and Ryder Perry also punched their ticket to state, placing second in doubles at their home sectional. They begin the tournament against Althoff Catholic seniors Joe Hamilton and Braden Gasawski.
Three Maroons ready to battle for a podium spot
Central senior Abel Vines enters the tournament with momentum and a sparkling 29-1 record. Vines dominated the Springfield sectional without dropping a game in eight sets and opens his state run against Oswego East's Pranav Kannan.
Rounding the list of high school players heading to state are Central’s doubles team of Daniel Canivez and Sohum Gurrapu, who also secured a spot at state after winning the sectional title. They’ll face Minooka's Eli Chavez and Evan Lundeen, who finished third at the Lincoln-Way East sectional.
Tagged: IHSA Boys Tennis State Finals 2025, Champaign-Urbana high school tennis, Hunter Madigan tennis St. Thomas More, Abel Vines Central High tennis, Illinois high school tennis tournament, U-High Jameson LaFave state tennis
Public health officials are highlighting the importance of taking action to "Fight the Bite" during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, which runs from June 18-24.
Photo: Mohamed Nuzrath/Pixabay
by Mark Richardson Illinois News Connection
CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Public Health said the first positive test for West Nile virus in 2025 has been detected in Winnebago County near Rockford.
Health officials warned people in the infected area and elsewhere to take precautions to avoid the mosquito-borne disease, which is expected to spread across the state. Last year, Illinois reported 69 cases of West Nile, with 13 reported human deaths.
Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said evidence of the disease usually emerges this time of year.
Most people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes do not contract the disease.
"In Illinois, we typically see the first environmental positive test for West Nile in mid- to late May," Vohra explained. "Mosquitoes typically emerge in the spring and are active until the first hard frost of the year."
Vohra noted West Nile virus is an endemic disease in Illinois, meaning it is commonly found in the state. Public health officials are highlighting the importance of taking action to "Fight the Bite" during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, which runs from June 18-24.
Vohra pointed out most people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes do not contract the disease but one in five will show symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to a serious and possibly fatal illness.
"Right now, there's no treatment for West Nile virus," Vohra emphasized. "But supportive care is really important, especially if you're developing symptoms or you're that one of 150 people that can develop severe illness."
Public health officials have advised Illinoisians to wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, use Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellent and stay indoors during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk. They also recommend trying to keep mosquitoes from breeding.
"One way to do that is to dump any standing water," Vohra advised. "Examples of that include flowerpots, children's toys, pet bowls, bird baths, buckets, used tires, abandoned swimming pools, any place where you can get standing water."
New bill would allow a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling or child of any Illinois driver to submit medical information about the driver to the secretary of state if they think the person’s medical condition interferes with their driving abilities.
Photo: Cheng Xiao/Unsplash
Drivers 87 and older will have to take an annual driver’s test says new bill waiting for the Illinois governor's signature. by Jade Aubrey
Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD - A bill unanimously passed by the Senate on Thursday and on its way to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk will increase the age that senior drivers in Illinois are required to take an annual driver’s test.
Currently, if a driver renews their driver’s license between the ages of 79 and 80, they are required to take a driving test. Drivers between 81 and 86 are required to take a driving test every two years, and drivers 87 and older have to take the test annually.
If Pritzker signs House Bill 1226, sponsored by Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, only drivers 87 and older will have to take an annual driver’s test. Illinois drivers between 79 and 86 won’t be required to take a driver’s test to renew their license; instead, they’ll only have to take a vision test, and if they have a driving violation, a written test.
The bill would also allow a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling or child of any Illinois driver to submit medical information about the driver to the secretary of state if they think the person’s medical condition interferes with their driving abilities. Currently, only medical officials, police officers and state’s attorneys can submit such information.
HB 1226, also called the Road Safety and Fairness Act, has garnered bipartisan support. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced his support for the bill in January alongside lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. The bill was conceived by a constituent of Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, last year.
The bill has 86 cosponsors in the House and 35 in the Senate.
Illinois is the only state that requires seniors to pass a driving test solely due to their age. But state data indicates that older drivers tend to have lower crash rates.
In 2023, the crash rate for drivers aged 75 and older was 24.61 per 1,000 drivers, which was lower than any other age group, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The low crash rate has been consistent since at least 2018, according to the Secretary of State’s Office’s 2023 Study on Age-Related Driving Abilities.
The crash rate is more than double for many of the other age groups.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Jade Aubrey contributed to this article.
