health care

By Rachel Buller/For CU-CitizenAccess -- Eleanor Evans and Fatemah Hermes spent a majority of their Saturday mornings in summer 2010 fighting – but not with each other.

SPRINGFIELD –Illinois officials are working to control the state’s obesity problem by hosting three public hearings statewide.

Illinois has the highest number of overweight or obese children covered under public insurance plans in the nation – or 56 percent of children receiving state-funded health insurance, according to findings by the Obesity Prevention Initiative Act.

CHAMPAIGN – Three years after Frances Nelson Health Center moved and expanded with the help of a community fund drive, this Champaign clinic for those in need is facing some serious financial challenges.

And they're being fueled by more than the recession.

For three years after its move to a larger building in November 2006, Frances Nelson has been operating with some financial help pledged by Carle Clinic, Christie Clinic and both Urbana hospitals. But most of that help, including free rent, came to an end this month, and the rent going forward will be $75,000 a year.