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Illinois’ budget picture tightens in final stretch amid economic uncertainty

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byBen Szalinski SPRINGFIELD — Growing pessimism over the direction of the global economy is leading budget analysts for the governor’s office and Illinois’ legislature to temper revenue expectations less than three weeks before lawmakers are set to finalize a new budget. Both the governor’s budget office and the General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and…

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For Your Health — Surprising Ways to Boost Your Liver HealthBy Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center Most of us don’t think too much about the liver. And that’s normal. Hearts and lungs seem to get many more health headlines and social media posts. But like all organs, the liver quietly does really important work. Among other jobs, it clears toxins from the body, stores energy and helps with immunity. So, there are a lot of great reasons for us to take steps to improve our liver health. And none is bigger than helping lower the risk of liver cancer. “Liver cancer doesn’t get as much attention as some other cancers, but it’s serious,” said Yikyung Park, a cancer researcher and professor in the Division of Public Health Sciences at WashU Medicine. “Although it’s not one of the most common cancers, it is a leading cause of death from cancer — ranked 5th in men and 7th in women.” Key causes of liver cancer include heavy alcohol drinking, infection with the viruses hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis. Smoking, obesity, diabetes and a condition called fatty liver disease also increase risk. And many of these factors can overlap with each other. The good news? “Liver cancer is preventable,” Park added. “Reducing risk factors and getting regular medical care are important, especially for people who know they already have some type of liver disease.” Work on boosting your liver health with these steps: Get a screening test for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Infection with these viruses can damage the liver and increase the risk for cancer. And most people who have them may feel normal and not know anything is wrong. Hepatitis C can be treated, and therapies can limit damage from hepatitis B, so it’s recommended that all adults get a simple blood test for each. It’s usually just a one-time appointment. Ask your doctor or clinic about it. Get vaccinated for hepatitis B. This is a very safe and effective way to prevent infection with hepatitis B. While most adults in the U.S. have been vaccinated, many have not. So, ask your doctor if you should get the vaccine, and encourage the new parents and expectant parents in your life to follow guidelines and protect their children with the vaccine as well. Limit alcohol — zero is best. Limiting how much we drink is an important way to lower the risk of liver diseases and liver cancer. And with the many other risks from moderate — and even light — drinking, not drinking is the healthiest choice overall. Maintain a healthier weight — focus on healthy eating and physical activity. Weight gain and obesity increase the risk of a condition called fatty liver disease, which is an increasingly common cause of liver cancer in the U.S. Being physically active and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help keep weight in check. Together, they can also help lower the risk of diabetes — another risk factor for liver cancer. If you’re looking for help with your weight, talk to your doctor or health clinic for advice. Don’t smoke — get help quitting if you do. Liver cancer is one of the many cancers caused by smoking. If you don’t smoke, be sure to stay smoke-free. If you do smoke, try to quit. You can do it. Smokefree.gov and 1-800-QUIT-NOW have many free tools that can help. If you have liver disease, see a doctor regularly. Keeping up with medical care for your liver disease is very important. It can help lower the risk of developing cancer — and if cancer does happen to develop, it can help find it earlier when it’s more treatable. A recent international report in The Lancet highlighted the power that prevention can have, estimating that 60% of liver cancers across the globe could be avoided with steps most of us could take. Park concluded by saying that while some people think that only heavy drinkers get liver cancer, drinking is just one of many important behaviors that impact risk for the disease: “Simple actions can have real benefits. Knowing hepatitis B and hepatitis C status and making lifestyle changes — like not smoking, eating a healthy diet and getting to a healthier weight — can lower the risk of liver disease — and the risk of liver cancer.” Dr. Graham A. Colditz leads prevention research at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine in St. Louis. Much of his work focuses on translating research findings into tools and tips that help people lower their risk of disease and improve their health — including the 8IGHT WAYS® to Prevent Cancer series.

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By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center Most of us don’t think too much about the liver, and that’s normal. Hearts and lungs seem to get many more health headlines and social media posts. But like all organs, the liver quietly does really important work. Among other jobs, it clears toxins from the body,…

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Carterville assistant football coach arrested on criminal sexual abuse charges

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byJackson Brandhorst,Molly Parkerand1 others MARION — John “Jake” Wakey, the Carterville High School assistant football coach and teacher at the center of an ongoing criminal sexual abuse investigation, was arrested Thursday, May 7, in Pontiac, Illinois. Wakey is charged with nine Class 2 felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving victims aged 13-17 by…

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Senate advances bill to expel students who commit sexual violence at school

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byBen Szalinski SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate advanced a plan that would ensure students who commit sexually violent crimes can be expelled from school. The chamber voted 48-3, with two voting present, to pass Senate Bill 939 sponsored by Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, which would require students who initiate sexual assault to be expelled for…

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How do data centers benefit the places where they’re built? Local mayors give mixed reviews

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byNikoel HytrekandUIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) The Illinois General Assembly continues to debate what to do about data centers as the artificial intelligence business keeps booming, and communities complain about their energy bills, noise, and environmental impacts. Data centers are warehouse-like buildings that house computer servers and other infrastructure that power the internet, cloud storage…

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As Illinoisans lose federal food assistance, independent grocers face debt, store closure

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byJenna SchweikertandUIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) As households across Illinois brace to lose their federal food assistance this month,  grocery stores, especially independent grocers across the state, are preparing for the devastating effects of decreased spending. For some independent grocers, whose profit margins average 2%, a decrease in consumer spending associated with cuts to the…

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Big House Ballgame at Old Joliet Prison kicks off Route 66 festivities

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byJulia LevyandMedill Illinois News Bureau JOLIET — At the Old Joliet Prison, made famous by the “Blues Brothers” film, the Joliet Slammers baseball team staff were generously handing out tickets to a ballgame recently, helping kick off the statewide celebration of the Route 66 centennial. But at this so-called Big House Ballgame, you might have…

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Senate committee passes bill to protect prescription info for trans, abortion patients

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byNikoel HytrekandUIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) A bill to strengthen privacy protections for transgender and abortion patients passed a Senate committee Wednesday, April 29, in a 9-4 partisan vote. Senate Bill 4834, would remove testosterone from the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program, which otherwise exists to protect against misuse of addictive controlled substances. It would also…

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Drought causing ongoing concerns, legislative hearings about Illinois water supply

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byNikoel HytrekandUIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Drought and hot temperatures have burdened Illinois since last summer, and despite rain improving conditions this spring, the long-term lack of precipitation and high temperatures have impacted water supplies across the state. For example, Sullivan, a small city southwest of Decatur, declared a water emergency in February that’s expected…

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