Dermatopathology is the study of diseases and disorders of the skin by laboratory examination of cells. A dermatopathologist diagnoses diseases of the skin by laboratory study of skin tissues under a microscope. This specialist may consult with a primary physician regarding the monitoring and treatment of skin disorders. Whether the source of the skin disorder is an infection, a reaction of the immune system, a cancerous lesion, or a degenerative disease, the dermatopathologist can examine and interpret the results of microscopic tests and offer recommendations for treatment.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Illinois has 80 practicing dermatopathologists. Broken out by city, dermatopathology doctor density in Alton is 1, in Arlington Heights is 2, in Bloomington is 1, in Blue Island is 1, in Buffalo Grove is 2, in Burr Ridge is 4, in Carol Stream is 1, in Centralia is 1, in Champaign is 1, in Chicago is 30, in Crystal Lake is 1, in Decatur is 2, in Downers Grove is 1, in Effingham is 1, in Elmhurst is 4, in Evanston is 2, in Frankfort is 2, in Freeport is 1, in Galesburg is 1, in Geneva is 1, in Gurnee is 1, in Highland is 1, in Highland Park is 1, in Hinsdale is 1, in Lake Bluff is 1, in Lake Forest is 2, in Litchfield is 1, in Lombard is 1, in Maywood is 3, in Moline is 1, in Morton is 1, in Mount Vernon is 2, in Naperville is 1, in Northbrook is 2, in Oak Brook is 2, in Oak Lawn is 2, in Oak Park is 1, in Orland Park is 2, in Park Ridge is 3, in Peoria is 7, in Peru is 1, in Red Bud is 1, in Riverside is 1, in Rockford is 2, in Schaumburg is 1, in Skokie is 2, in South Barrington is 1, in Springfield is 3, in Tinley Park is 1, in Urbana is 1, in Westchester is 1, in Westmont is 1, in Wheaton is 1, in Willowbrook is 1, and in Worth is 1.

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.