Illinois health law enrollment climbs past quarter-million

CHICAGO (AP) - Nearly 287,000 Illinois residents have signed up for private coverage under President Barack Obama's health care law. The enrollment surpasses last year numbers, when about 217,000 Illinoisans signed up.

The Health and Human Services Department updated the Illinois tally Wednesday. The figure includes consumers who were automatically re-enrolled into their current plan or a plan with similar benefits.

There's one month to go in the enrollment period. The Obama administration expects a surge of sign-ups near the Feb. 15 deadline.

Illinois is one of 37 states served by the HealthCare.gov website where consumers can shop for insurance and qualify for financial help. Ten health insurance companies are participating in Illinois.

The law offers subsidized private coverage to people who don't have health insurance on the job.