Ettie Berneking

Artificial trans fats might be escorted out of Illinois after House lawmakers passed a bill banning them in restaurants, school vending machines and other venues statewide, according to the Post Dispatch.

The bill, if passed in the Senate, would take effect Jan. 1, 2013.

Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Luke Runyon used in this report.

Several aging buildings in Illinois have a better chance of survival now that they’ve been added to Landmarks Illinois’ list of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Places for 2011.

Two of the properties are over 100 years old, and others, includes Belleville Turner Hall, a community and civic center in Belleville, Ill., which dates back to the 1920s and ‘30s.

Today’s elections seem to be running smoothly according to election officials in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.

A low voter turnout was predicted across the board, but some areas are seeing higher turnout than expected.

Rich Chrismer, director of elections for St. Charles County, said the county is looking at an 18 percent turnout.

Kevin Willmann, chef and owner of a new restaurant in south St. Louis, has found himself on Food & Wine magazine’s list of Best Chefs of 2011, according to the Post-Dispatch.

Beginning Friday, a new traffic routing system and trolley service will be implemented at Forest Park.

The new traffic plan (see map below) was announced today by the non-profit Forest Park Forever and partnering institutions to help alleviate congestion at the Hampton entrance to the park.

Lesley Hoffarth, president of Forest Park Forever, said that from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day, vehicles will be diverted to the east on Wells.