News Progress

•November 16, 2016• During Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is asking Illinoisans to learn how they can help prevent the misuse of life saving medications. “Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs. However, up to 50 percent of all antibiotics prescribed are not needed or are not as effective as intended,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Because of misuse, antibiotic resistant bacterial infections are more common, resulting in many of our life saving medications losing efficacy. I encourage everyone to take some time this week to learn how you … Read More

•November 16, 2016• USDA recently announced an investment of $490,000 in Illinois, and more than $300 million nationwide, to help rural small businesses save money on their energy costs by adopting renewable sources or implementing more efficient energy options. The funding is through the USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Grant funding for the eight projects in Illinois ranged from $30,700 to $135,000, and includes the purchase and installation of solar renewable energy systems; energy efficiency improvements to insulation, and geothermal and lighting systems; purchase and installation of a fermenter for ethanol production; and energy efficiency improvements … Read More

•November 16, 2016• What’s in your firewood? Tree-killing insects or diseases may be hiding in or on firewood that may be transported hundreds of miles to campsites or fireplaces. The spread of invasive pests often has serious economic consequences, according to Kelly Estes, coordinator of the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS), at the Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute. In a 2011 study published in the PLOS ONE scientific journal, researchers projected that wood-boring insects are anticipated to cause nearly $1.7 billion in local government expenditures in the U.S. and $830 million in lost residential property values over a … Read More