Illinois health bill could bring in $51 million a year for Cook County

Cook County, IL's public health system could net up to $51 million more a year in federal funds to pay for treating uninsured patients under a measure approved by the General Assembly. The bill still needs the signature of Gov. Rod Blagojevich to become law, but an administration spokeswoman said he backs it. Then the funding mechanisms in the five-year bill must win federal approval.