SWANSEA, Ill. (AP) — The southern Illinois city of Swansea is the latest in the region to allow residents to raise chickens in their backyards. The Belleville News Democrat reports that Swansea village leaders recently voted unanimously to allow chickens in neighborhoods that are zoned residential. That’s different than four years ago when the village board rejected a similar plan. Other Illinois communities near St. Louis that allow backyard chickens include Collinsville and Fairview Heights.