articles by topic

This index includes every article in First Reading since its inception in 1986, organized by subject matter.  Issues of First Reading from June 2000 to the present are available for download and linked.  Contact the Research Unit for availability of articles from older issues.  Abstracts of reports required to be filed with the General Assembly, which are included in each issue, are not included in this index.

health and safety

AIDS: A Growing Health Problem-May 87, p. 1

AIDS Cases Top 100,000 in U.S.; Research Continues-Jan 90, p. 1

Alzheimer’s Laws Passed by 84th General Assembly-Mar 87, p. 5

Autism Enters the Public Eye-Jun 2012, p. 12

Canada’s Health Care System Looks Good to Some-Jul 90, p. 8

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Affects More Workers-Dec 91, p. 12

Child Immunization Exemptions Come Under Scrutiny-Mar 2015, p. 6

Child Vaccination is Impeded by Confusion, Costs-Jun 2012, p. 6

Cholesterol Interest Increases-Feb 89, p. 1

Cities Try Various Ways to Control Dangerous Dogs-Jan 2006, p. 1

Cycle Helmet Controversy Continues-May 89, p. 8

Drug Abuse Conference-May 87, p. 6

Drug Testing Expands-May 87, p. 1

Ebola: A Growing Concern-Mar 2015, p. 7

"Energy Drinks" Cause Health Concerns-May 2013, p. 1

E-Cigarettes Prove Popular, Controversial-Mar 2014, p. 1

Flame Retardants Have Risks, Benefits-Jun 2005, p. 1

Food Scares Hit U.S. Again-May 89, p. 1

Food Safety Becomes a Security Issue-Apr 2002, p. 1

Grain Elevator Explosion Problem Persists-May 89, p. 10

Head Injuries Take a Heavy Toll-Jun 90, p. 1

Hookah Smoking is Popular but Risky-May 2013, p. 6

Hospital Maternity Stays Get Shorter-Nov 95, p. 12

Illinois Resident Deaths from Firearms, 1991 and 1992-Jul 94, p. 7

Improve Your Cholesterol Readings-Feb 89, p. 7

Indiana Malpractice Law Attracts Interest-Apr 94, p. 12

Indiana Offers Health Savings Accounts to Its Employees-Mar 2011, p. 5

Infant Mortality in Illinois-Mar 87, p. 6

Irradiated Foods are Coming-Jun 92, p. 8

Laws Begin to Fight Noise Pollution-Apr 91, p. 1

Laws on Sale of Tobacco to Minors-Mar 94, p. 7

Laws Require HIV Testing of Sex Offenders-Mar 91, p. 1

Lyme Disease Appears in Illinois-May 91, p. 4

Medicare Drug Benefits are Scrutinized-Apr 2004, p. 6

"Medisave" Accounts Might Cut Medical Costs-Mar 94, p. 9

More States Use Managed Care for Medicaid-Jan 95, p. 1

New AIDS Regs and Statistics Issued-Apr 88, p. 8

New Federal Law Regulates Organic Foods-Aug 91, p. 8

New Law Requires Home Carbon Monoxide Alarms-Dec 2006, p. 11

Polystyrene Foam Isn’t So Bad After All-Mar 91, p. 1

Promoting Healthy Food Choices With Federal Benefits-May 2014, p. 2

Regulating Disposal of Medical Wastes-Apr 90, p. 18

Search for AIDS Vaccine Continues-Feb 91, p. 1

Some Cities Try Community Policing-Jul 94, p. 1

Some Insect Repellants May be Risky-May 90, p. 20

Some Governments Act to Block Teen Smoking-Apr 2016, p. 1

Some Sport Fish Pose Danger to Eaters-May 90, p. 14

Some States Require Insurance for High School Athletes-Dec 2011, p. 2

State Addresses Growing Diabetes Problem-Jun 2012, p. 1

State Gears Up to Fight Child Lead Poisoning-Dec 92, p. 6

States Act to Protect Children, Pets Left in Cars-Jun 2017, p. 6

States Crack Down on Teenage Drinking Parties-May 2006, p. 1

States Let Unused Drugs Help Other Patients-May 2007, p. 1

States' Laws on Anger Management for Students-May 2007, p. 1

States Restrict Smoking-Jun 87, p. 5

States Seek to Block Internet Dating Predators-Dec 2011, p. 1

States Seek to Make Sports Safer-May 2018, p. 5

States, U.S. Try to Extend Health Coverage-Feb 89, p. 1

Statistics on Abortion in Illinois-Dec 89, p. 16

Steroid Use is Growing Problem-Apr 89, p. 9

Survey on Youth And Weapons-May 94, p. 14

Teens and Tanning Booths: A Bad Mix?-Dec 2011, p. 7

The Cost of Health Care-Feb 89, p. 1

Tuberculosis is Still a Problem-Mar 90, p. 12

Two States Ban Drug Raising Milk Production-May 90, p. 17

U.S. EPA Hits Secondhand Smoke-Jan/Feb 93, p. 4