Galesburg Reporter

State Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) wants to see not only more awareness for Lyme disease, but also more research conducted into finding a cure for the tick-borne illness with cases rising in Illinois.

Swanson was one of the sponsors of legislation, known as House Resolution 780. 

"An average of 34%, or one out of every three ticks is infected with Lyme disease. Lyme disease has been detected in deer ticks in 36 counties," Swanson said on the House floor. "Illinois's highest county is Winnebago at 66%. Jo Daviess and Putnam counties are at 59%. Through the task force efforts, the Illinois Department of Public Health has established an absolutely fantastic interactive map where you too can track your county on where they stand with Lyme disease within Illinois. The intent of this map is an attempt to illustrate the number percentages of Lyme cases within each county or those ticks tested to educate doctors. Lyme disease is one of the most under-detected under-identified diseases."

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, Swanson introduced House Resolution 780 on March 29. It was adopted by his colleagues in the Illinois House of Representatives on April 7. 

Both Republicans and Democrats joined Swanson in sponsoring the legislation including Reps. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), Anna Moeller (D-Elgin), Michael Halpin (D-Rock Island), Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville), Steven Reick (R-Woodstock), Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg), Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook), Maurice West, II (D-Rockford), Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa), Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield), Carol Ammons (D-Urbana), Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) and Mark Luft (R-Pekin). 

House Resolution 780 pushes for more money to be allocated for research to find a cure for Lyme disease and declares May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Illinois.