Vascular neurology is the study and treatment of vascular diseases of the nervous system. A neurologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats nervous system disorders. A vascular neurologist treats patients who have disorders of the veins and arteries in the nervous system. Diseased vessels that provide circulation to the nervous system can generate problems such as a stroke or hemorrhage that affects the brain or spinal cord.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Illinois has 24 practicing vascular neurologists. Broken out by city, vascular neurology doctor density in Chicago is 16, in Elk Grove is 2, in Elk Grove Village is 4, in Flossmoor is 1, in Geneva is 1, in Harvey is 1, in Lockport is 1, in Maywood is 3, in Melrose Park is 1, in Normal is 2, in Oak Park is 2, in Oakbrook Terrace is 1, in Pekin is 1, in Peoria is 1, and in Skokie 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.