Cancer Patients’ Bill of Rights
Effective January 2025
The Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution that states all Illinois residents who have cancer — regardless of their financial situation, race, or background — deserve access to timely treatments, clinical trials, and information. About 78,000 Illinois residents were diagnosed with cancer this past year. Black people are at significantly greater risk of dying of various cancers, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. The Cancer Patients’ Bill of Rights aims to put more power in people’s hands by encouraging access to emerging treatments and information close to home.
Children’s Lead Levels
Effective January 2025
Illinois now has stricter standards for blood lead levels in children. Physicians must test all children in high-risk ZIP codes at ages 1, 2, and 3. Pediatricians must also use a questionnaire to assess all children under age 6 for lead exposure. The new law lowers the lead exposure limit from 5 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) to 3.5 µg/dL. Homes of children who test high for lead require a home inspection to determine the contamination source; a public health nurse will also visit the home to talk with the family about ways to prevent lead exposure and the harm it causes.
Electronic Cigarette Promotion
Effective January 2025
Companies can no longer design vapes to resemble school supplies, which was making it easier for teens to fool parents and teachers into thinking the devices were something other than tobacco products. The new law also prohibits companies from marketing electronic cigarettes in fraudulent or misleading ways. Additionally, in their marketing, companies cannot use cartoons, characters, or video games to make the product more attractive to people under age 21.
Originally published in the Spring/Summer 2025 print issue.
An award-winning journalist, Katie has written for Chicago Health since 2016 and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief.
