Pediatric hematology/oncology is the study and treatment of blood disorders and cancer in infants, children and adolescents. A pediatric hematologist-oncologist is a physician who specializes in treating children with chemotherapy, and consults with other physicians to coordinate other methods of cancer treatments. This specialist uses a background of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous diseases.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Illinois has 105 practicing pediatric hematologists / oncologists. Broken out by city, pediatric hematology / oncology doctor density in Algonquin is 1, in Alton is 1, in Arlington Heights is 5, in Aurora is 2, in Barrington is 1, in Bensenville is 1, in Bloomington is 1, in Burr Ridge is 9, in Carlinville is 1, in Chicago is 68, in Crystal Lake is 1, in Darien is 1, in Decatur is 1, in Downers Grove is 1, in East Saint Louis is 1, in Elgin is 1, in Elk Grove Village is 1, in Evanston is 1, in Evergreen Park is 2, in Frankfort is 1, in Franklin Park is 1, in Freeport is 1, in Hinsdale is 2, in Hoffman Estates is 3, in Joliet is 2, in Lincoln is 1, in Maywood is 6, in Moline is 1, in Morris is 1, in Naperville is 2, in Niles is 2, in Oak Lawn is 4, in Palos Heights is 1, in Pana is 1, in Park Ridge is 3, in Peoria is 5, in Riverside is 1, in Rockford is 1, in Rolling Meadows is 1, in Silvis is 1, in Skokie is 1, in Springfield is 5, in Taylorville is 1, in Urbana is 1, in Westchester is 1, and in Winfield is 2.

Most people think that Chicago, because of its size and popularity, is Illinois’ capital city, but that distinction belongs to Springfield, home of the Abraham Lincoln Museum. Illinois has hundreds of museums, numerous yearly art and ethnic festivals, a lakeshore bordering Lake Michigan, and the many national forests and parks that offers visitors camping, horseback riding, biking, kayaking, and fishing. Chicago is home to the Sears Tower, the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and other cultural opportunities and restaurants in the Navy Pier area.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Illinois has a population of 12,763,371. Of this population, 3,172,677 are under the age of 18 and 1,523,937 are at or above the age of 65.