SPRINGFIELD Emily surpassed Jessica to become the most popularname for Illinois baby girls in 1997, while perennial favoriteMichael remained entrenched as the most common name for boys.
The Illinois Department of Public Health's annual vitalstatistics list, which was released Tuesday, also offered hope to allthose little Emilys and Michaels that their parents might wind upstaying married longer.
Statewide, divorces dropped by about 2 percent in 1997. InCook County, the rate of marital breakups dropped by 3 percent,though it grew slightly in Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.Those facts were contained in an analysis that served up someof the most oddball pieces of information culled by the state fromthe endless stream of paperwork that was filed in 1997 whenever lifebegan, changed dramatically or ended.The oldest bride was 97. The oldest new father was 81. Theday the most people died was January 9. The day when the most babieswere born was July 2.The oldest male divorcee was 90. The oldest female divorceewas 83. The largest baby weighed 13 pounds, 13 ounces. The monthwith the most marriages was August. The month with the most divorceswas December.The agency has compiled this type of data since 1990. Sincethen, the standings have changed very little when it comes to themost popular names. Every year until 1997, Jessica was the No. 1girl's name. Michael has held that position since 1990 and was atoprankings in 1988, 1978 and 1968, Public Health spokesman ThomasSchafer said."What it tells us is people are comfortable with a certain setof names," he said.
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