By AP/KWMU
Springfield, IL – Illinois' infant mortality rate is at a new low.
New figures show there were 7.5 deaths per every 1,000 births in 2001. That's a drop of nearly 10% from 2000.
Last year, a total of 1,379 babies died before age one; the lowest number on record. Since 1990 the infant mortality rate has dropped 30% in Illinois.
Missouri's rate is slightly higher, at eight deaths per 1,000 births.