Illinois gives approval to Aetna, Humana deal

The Illinois Department of Insurance has given its seal of approval to Aetna Inc.'s planned $37 billion purchase of Humana Inc.

State department officials said the buyout would not adversely affect consumers by reducing the number of companies offering Medicare.

Last month, the Missouri Department of Insurance opposed the acquisition, saying it would violate the state's competitive standards law in the individual and small Medicare group markets.

Read more from the St. Louis Business Journal.