Newborn screenings expanded

SPRINGFIELD – A new state law is designed to protect infants from a series of genetic and metabolic disorders by catching and treating them sooner.

"Lysosomal storage diseases are very hard to diagnose, because affected infants initially appear perfectly healthy," said state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, who sponsored SB 1566. "Once the symptoms become apparent, the disease will have progressed to a stage where it is very difficult to treat. Enhancing newborn screenings to test for lysosomal disorders will help doctors get them the help they need in a more timely fashion."

Also on this date

• Westville falls short of title for second straight year
• Galena ends Tuscola's bid to repeat as champs
• On the front (shopping) line
• Science projects are successful collaborations
• Westville fans stuck on orange
• UI law students pay pro bono visits to New Orleans
• Students make pro bono visits to New Orleans
• Mathematica's maker plans to add jobs
• UI clerical union ratifies new 4-year contract
• Mexican citizen pleads innocent to battery counts
• Danville landlords association planning discussion
• Rantoul student, teacher team up on science project
• Obituaries