State lawmakers passed a law yesterday that will ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other public workplaces across Illinois. The law passed fairly easily with a vote of 73-42, and Governor Blagojevich has said that he will likely sign the law. The ban will go into effect on January 1, 2008, making Illinois the 19th state to ban smoking. The law's intent was to clear up the random patchwork of no-smoking laws throughout Illinois (resulting... more ›

Approximately 50 percent of sexually active men and women get the Human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives. High risk type of HPV is the main factor cervical cancer and now the state is looking at making the HPV vaccination a requirement for 11 and 12-year old girls. more ›

We always tend to think other people celebrate holidays like the Griswolds in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – a week-long shopping, eating and bickering extravaganza with extended family. But for many of us, Thanksgiving and Christmas end up being an afternoon or evening of time with the relatives, and that night we’re back in the city twiddling our thumbs. more ›

Look. Chicagoist is just as tired as you all of the Smoke-Or-Not-To-Smoke discussion and we know there is only so much left to be said on the topic to ban smoking in restaurants, bars and basically all public indoor areas of Chicago by April 1. However, as the vote approaches -- Wednesday, to be exact -- it's worth taking up space here. Look for the kids over at the Illinois Restaurant Association to ... well,... more ›

There was a time when Chicagoist was a prisoner to the P Funk. But after ten years of sucking away on those things we had to call it a day. We loved smoking, and we miss it, but quitting was a choice we had to make for ourselves. more ›

Although the Chicago Marathon isn't until October, Chicagoist wants to let you know how you can start right now and help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Charity Runner is an organization that not only helps Chicago-area runners dedicate their miles to a friend or relative whose life has been touched by cancer, but also offers free training and support with the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA). If you are not a runner you can sponsor runners and make donations to the American Cancer Society. more ›