Illinois and the city of Chicago continue to rate poorly for premature births, according to a new report by the March of Dimes. [Health News Illinois] 

Illinois received a D+ grade in the annual report, while Chicago received a C.

The preterm birth rate last year in Illinois was 10.4 percent, a 0.4 percentage point decrease from the prior year. The rate for the city of Chicago was 10 percent, a one percentage point decrease from last year.

The infant mortality rate in Illinois was 5.9 per 1,000 births in 2021, up 0.3 from the prior year.

The report also highlighted continued racial disparities. The infant mortality rate among Black birthing people is more than twice the state's rate, at 12.8 per 1,000 live births.

Additionally, the rate of inadequate prenatal care among babies born to Pacific Islander moms is twice the state rate.

Preterm birth rates were slightly higher for those on Medicaid.

The March of Dimes graded six Illinois counties for preterm birth rates. DuPage received a B-, Lake received a C+, Cook and Kane received a C, Will received a D, and Winnebago received an F. 

Illinois was one of seven states to receive a D+, joining Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina and Wyoming.

The highest-graded state, New Hampshire, received an A-.

Nationally, the preterm birth rate was 10.4 percent for the third consecutive year.

March of Dimes said the report highlights a continued decline in early prenatal care, with one-in-four women not accessing care until after their first trimester.

“This is not a failure of moms, but rather of systems that create barriers, such as limited providers, transportation and insurance delays,” said CEO Cindy Rahman. “Rising rates of chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes further increase risks for both moms and babies. Together, these trends paint a picture of a fragile system where too many families are left behind.”

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