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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois lawmaker has filed legislation asking the Illinois Department of Public Health to clarify state regulations on whether children must be vaccinated.
Democratic Rep. Mike Zalewski's resolution follows a widely reported measles infection at a suburban Chicago day care center. The cases are among more than 100 nationwide this year.
Zalewski is the father of three small children. He says the department needs the opportunity to tighten criteria for why kids can opt out of vaccinations by next school year. He also says Illinois' regulations could be clearer.
State regulations generally require vaccinations for older children in day care centers, but measles shots are not recommended for children under age 1.
Any rule issued by the department must be approved by legislators.
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Online: www.ilga.gov
The resolution is HR0144
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