Illinois joins a growing list of states taking early steps toward mandatory health insurance. An Illinois state task force on Thursday approved a plan to require all residents to obtain health care coverage through their employers, public health programs or private insurance. The program would cost the state government and employers more than $5 billion annually. Under the plan, all state residents, including undocumented immigrants and college students, would be required to obtain health insurance or face penalties.

A state agency would be established to manage the program. State legislators will meet next year to discuss the proposal.

Read story in at ChicagoTribune.com, A new plan to insure all - Proposal would require Illinoisans to get health coverage