Illinois quick hits: Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act ready for Trump

Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, says a bipartisan bill she sponsored is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk.

The U.S. House passed the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act Monday.

In a social media post, Duckworth said the measure would make it easier for moms to get through airport security and travel with breast milk.

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Steve Daines, R-Montana, and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, cosponsored the legislation.

University enrollment up

According to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the state’s public university fall enrollment increased 2.3% this year to reach its highest level since 2015.

The board said undergraduate enrollment grew 3.8% while graduate/professional enrollment declined slightly.

Fall-to-fall retention improved from 81.3% to 82.7%. International student enrollment decreased 6.5%.

Antibiotics awareness urged

The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging public awareness of appropriate use of antibiotics and antifungals during U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week.

IDPH is recognizing nearly 90 Illinois hospitals that have taken extra measures to prevent antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria and other germs can develop a resistance to the drugs that were designed to fight them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the United States, and more than 35,000 people die as a result.