Both the House and Senate are in committees this week. Friday, March 27, is the House Bill Substantive Committee Deadline. Although there are many bills we are tracking, IPHA is highlighting the following bills this week.
Below is a list of bills that IPHA is tracking which will be heard in committees. Please consider filing a witness slip to make your voice heard on issues that are important to you and your community.
The IPHA Executive Council is calling on all IPHA members to nominate themselves or other individuals to be considered for Executive Council positions. We are seeking candidates who (1) are active members, in good standing, of IPHA; (2) are working to improve public health in Illinois; (3) possess a keen interest and experience in public health; (4) have enthusiasm, motivation, and dedication to advance IPHA’s mission; and (5) are willing to participate actively in decision-making and fundraising efforts.
This week only the Senate has scheduled session dates. Below is a list of bills which IPHA is tracking that will be heard in committees. Please consider filing a witness slip to make your voice heard on issues that are important to you and your community.
Public Comment on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Reimagining and Improving
Student Education [Docket ID: ED-2025-OPE-0944]
WITNESS SLIPS NEEDED - HB1052 Food Truck Freedom
House Bill 1052 will be heard in the House Public Health Committee tomorrow, 2/26/26, at 8:00 AM.
House Bill 1052 (Rep. Vella) Creates the Food Truck Freedom Act. Provides that a municipality, county, or township may create a license or permitting scheme for a food truck to operate within its jurisdiction.
The Illinois Public Health Association, as well as local health departments, have raised concerns about this bill and its impact on our communities and food safety.
Ensure Higher Federal Loan Limits for All Degree Programs Act Now – Federal Comments Close on March 2, 11:59 PM
Join Our Sign-on Letter | Join by 2/27 at Noon | Please share!
This week, there are a number of bills we are tracking which will be heard in committee. This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard on issues that are important to you and your community.
A directive from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on February 5, 2026, ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to rescind funding from four Democratic-led states. The OMB directive targeted Colorado, Illinois, California, and Minnesota, ordering that $602 million in CDC funding be clawed back, along with $943 million by the Transportation Department.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) is deeply concerned about the escalation of
federal immigration enforcement activities across the country. The immigration
enforcement operations in Chicago, Minnesota, Portland, and, most recently in the state of Maine have grave consequences not only on public trust, but also on community safety, and public health.
In late January, in a statement that contradicts years of scientific knowledge, research and evidence, Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist who became chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in December, suggested during a podcast, that “the public might want to reconsider the use of polio vaccines, arguing individual freedoms should be a north star of the panel, and pointing to the Covid pandemic as key to his thinking on health policy.”
The Illinois Public Health Association today applauded Governor JB Pritzker’s
announcement that Illinois will join the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), strengthening the state’s ability to protect communities.
Today, we are sharing this action alert from the American Public Health Association (APHA) regarding the need for oversight of the immigration enforcement actions taking place throughout the country.
We urge you to take a moment and tell your members of Congress they must investigate these actions and conditions, and hold the administration accountable for ensuring all federal immigration agencies are following the law and working in coordination with state and local officials.
The Illinois Public Health Association is responding to federal actions taken regarding changes to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule by reaffirming its commitment to science-based public health guidance and providing clarity for Illinois families, healthcare providers, and communities.
Today, the U.S. took an unfortunate step backward in its commitment to vaccine policy and protecting children from vaccine preventable diseases. In a historic vote, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisers recommended narrowing the agency's hepatitis B immunization guidance for newborns.
The result, if approved by the CDC's acting director, will be a rollback of a universal recommendation to start hepatitis B immunization at birth, a standard practice in the U.S. for more than 30 years that has been credited with dramatically lowering liver diseases caused by the virus.
Families, health professionals, and communities across Illinois deserve clear information that helps them protect their health. The recent changes to the CDC’s vaccine and autism webpage walk away from decades of research and replace well-established science with claims that are inaccurate and misleading. The science has not changed. Vaccines do not cause autism.
The ACIP December meeting comment period is now open. Comments must be submitted by November 24. More information is available here. Everyone is urged to submit written comments or apply for a spot to present orally.
Illinois HIV Care Connect announces the release of an educational campaign on Rapid Start Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for people newly diagnosed with HIV.
There is a deep connection between civic engagement and public health. Voting plays a critical role in shaping policies that affect health equity, gun violence, climate change and more. In June 2022, the American Medical Association (AMA) officially declared voting a social determinant of health (SDOH), underscoring that civic participation significantly impacts well-being and health equity.
In a statement on the September 2025 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Meeting, the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) is urging ACIP to maintain the long-standing, evidence-based recommendations for the universal hepatitis B birth dose.
"At IPHA, we know that health starts long before someone walks into a clinic. It starts with trusted caregivers, safe environments, and strong support systems." - Tom Hughes
"PTSD in the Black community doesn’t always come from war—it comes from living in fight-or-flight for decades. From systemic racism. From raising children while healing from your own childhood. From watching sons die in headlines and daughters shrink in a world that doesn’t see their softness. And from generations of silence around mental health." - Robert J. Holmes
In an unprecedented move on June 9, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the nation’s vaccine policy committee—the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—and announced plans to handpick their replacements. Read more in the IPHA Public Health Impact Statement.
Advocacy Starts Here - Amplifying Voices for Public Health. The time to be an advocate for public health is now. Public health is discussed in various capacities every day on Capitol Hill, in the White House and federal agencies and by state and local decision-makers. Without the voice of those who possess both expertise and experience in public health, legislation, regulations and other policy decisions may not reflect what is best for the public’s health.
Health equity means recognizing and addressing disparities in health outcomes and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential for health and well-being, regardless of their background.
Local health departments (LHDs) are the backbone of our communities—responsible for protecting and promoting health and advancing evidence-based solutions to address our most pressing public health challenges that hinder health equity—including structural racism.
April 7 - 13, 2025
Each April, IPHA joins the American Public Health Association (APHA) and affiliates to celebrate National Public Health Week, a time to recognize the vital importance of the public health workforce, acknowledge its accomplishments, and advocate for greater awareness and support of key public health issues.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a health advisory to inform Healthcare Providers, Hospital Infection Preventionists, Emergency Departments, and Local Health Departments about confirmed measles outbreaks in the U.S.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) urges public health agencies and healthcare providers to work together to strengthen communicable disease surveillance; promote the childhood vaccine schedule; and fight back against misinformation and false statements about vaccines and the importance of immunizations across the lifespan.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) is deeply concerned about the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle important parts of the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the U.S. health agencies and countless vital public health programs that make up the essential public health services that are vital to our communities.
It's time to nominate colleagues for APHA’s annual awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to public health.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) urges immediate restoration of all data sets and guidance removed from Federal websites in order to protect the health and well-being of every person in the U.S. and to provide factual, accurate and timely information for public health and healthcare professionals to manage infectious diseases, address public health threats and access essential information to provide quality care for chronic diseases.
February is Black History Month. Please join IPHA in reflecting on the many contributions to public health made by African Americans.
Friday, February 7, 2025 is National Wear Red Day
IPHA is concerned about efforts to undermine the hiring and promotion of people who are women and/or underrepresented racial and ethnic minoritized individuals, particularly in sectors where they have historically experienced discrimination. These actions will have a profound effect on public health. the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are considered essential for ensuring a robust and effective public health system and addressing health disparities by actively incorporating diverse perspective and experiences within public health organizations and practices.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) urges policymakers to restore funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and rescind the stop-work order for existing grants and contracts to allow the program to resume its lifesaving work across the globe.
Cancer is one of the world's leading causes of death. Nearly everyone knows someone who was, is, or will be directly impacted by cancer.
On January 27, 2025, the federal Office of Management and Budget issued a directive to pause federal grant funding and other financial assistance by 5:00 PM on January 28, 2025.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) urges Congress, the federal Office of Management and Budget, and all federal agencies to act quickly to end the pauses in federal funding and program activity, given the threats they pose to public health and safety, and to ensure the economic stability of our nation.
National Radon Action Month is held every January to increase the population’s awareness about radon.
On January 22, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federal agencies.
Maternal Health Awareness Day is January 23, 2025. This year’s theme is Know What’s at Stake.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order giving notice that the United States would withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) opposes the proposed U.S. withdrawal from WHO. Leaving the WHO will have long-ranging consequences on US security, diplomacy, and have a far reaching health impact not only on the world, but also on all Americans. Leaving WHO would mean, among other things, that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would have no access to the global data that the agency provides.
Bridging the Divide and Building a Better World for Our Children
Today we remember Martin Luther King 's legacy by encouraging everyone in the public health community to reflect on Dr. King's vision and to join us in the ongoing fight for a healthier, more equitable future for all.
IPHA announces mini-grant opportunity for CBOs located in the counties of Alexander, Knox, Macon, Peoria, Pope, Pulaski, and Vermilion to improve maternal, child, and infant health outcomes and to strengthen community health capacity by addressing childhood adversity and trauma.
The Illinois Public Health Association joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
We look forward to working with you in the new year!
SHOT IN THE ARM is now available to watch via PBS streaming online. Filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy explores the cultural zeitgeist of vaccine hesitancy both in the past and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 16, is the fiftieth anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, signed into law on December 16, 1974, by President Gerald R. Ford.
Applications for the Spring 2025 Internship Program are closed.
Inspired by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) was signed into law by Governor James R. Thompson on December 6, 1979.
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Have a Plan Before Taking that First Drink.
With the holiday season in full swing, having a plan that includes a designated driver, a taxi or ride share, or an overnight stay at a friend's home just might save a life. A single drink can cause a decline in visual function, mental judgment and motor skills, resulting in driver impairment.
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is an annual observance in December to remind everyone 6 months and older that there's still time to get vaccinated against flu.
You can make a one-time or establish monthly giving to help protect and promote public health in Illinois this GivingTuesday.
IPHA is happy to participate in GivingTuesday, a campaign that promotes a world build on shared humanity and generosity.
Have a very healthy and happy Thanksgiving
Sending a massive thank you to everyone who works to protect and advance public health. Your efforts save lives. Happy Public Health Thank You Day!
The application portal for spring 2025 internship applications is now live!
Happy Veteran's Day! They protected us; now it's our turn to protect them! This fall, get a flu shot and updated COVID vaccine to protect our veterans and our community.
November 8 - Last day to register!
Each year, the IPHA Annual Meeting and Conference offers session which provide opportunities for public health processionals to engage in content relevant to you, your job and your profession. Join us on November 19 - 20 in Springfield to learn and have meaningful conversations with your peers in an evolving public health landscape.
Voting is a recognized public health priority. In June 2023, voter participation was named as a ‘core objective’ in the nation's health goals, Healthy People 2030.
On Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor and celebrate indigenous peoples, cultures, traditions, and their unique connections to the lands and water we all call home.
World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), a global mental health organization with members in more than 150 countries.
September 15 – October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. This annual observance is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, histories, traditions, diversity, and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
The call for awards is now open to all IPHA Members. Check out the award criteria and our new Health Equity Award!
The Illinois Public Health Association invites the submission of proposals for poster presentations on a wide array of topics supporting the 2024 conference theme.
The Illinois Public Health Association invites the submission of breakout session proposals on a wide array of topics supporting the 2024 conference theme.
Join IPHA and immunization partners from throughout the Midwest in a virtual event celebrating the importance of vaccines.
#NIAM2024 #vaccine #vaccination #immunization #nationalimmunizationmonth
Late registration for the IPHA 4th Annual Community Health Worker Summit will close on August 12. Don't miss this exciting conference!
The IPHA offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 for the Association's observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, June 20.
#Juneteenth #PublicHealthMatters
Renew your IPHA membership today! Your IPHA membership is a powerful tool for any public health professional. Renew your membership to remain active and receive all of the benefits of membership!
Take the time to contact your legislators to urge them to fund the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for grants to certified local health departments via the Local Health Protection Grant (LHPG) at $30.1 million for FY2025.
IPHA and our partners are advocating for the appropriation of $25 million to support capital projects in local health departments (LHDs) across the state. This funding would address critical infrastructure needs, ensuring that LHDs can continue to provide essential public health services to communities in Illinois.
The upcoming Farm Bill passage and Child Nutrition Reauthorization both offer key opportunities to support equitable nutrition, food security and public health. Please join IPHA in advocating for Congress to support nutrition priorities.
The IPHA Scholarship Program Application is now open. Completed applications for scholarship assistance for the 2024-2025 academic year must be received no later than July 31, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
Friends of Public Health FY2025 funding request letter to the General Assembly House and Senate Appropriations Committee to increase the Local Health Protection Grant to $30.1 million.
On February 21, 2024, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker delivered his annual State of the State and Budget address before a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. The $52.7 billion Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget includes substantial investments in early childhood education, the creation of a state child tax credit, and the elimination of $4 billion in medical debt for over one million Illinoisans over the next four years. The budget also includes a reduction in funding for certified local health departments. See IPHA's letter to IDPH's Director regarding this decrease in funding for local public health.
IPHA's longstanding partner, PHIMC, seeks proposal from eligible organizations to participate in the IDHS Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Wellness and Equity Campaign.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) today announced it received grant funding from Exact Sciences, a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates and make healthcare more accessible for those in Sangamon and Macon counties.
We invite all IPHA members, to share experiences and thoughts on the direction IPHA should take over the next five years. The information collected will be used by the Executive Council, strategic planning steering group, and IPHA leadership to inform the development of the strategic plan.
Fall veto session brought the Illinois General Assembly to Springfield on October 24, 25, and 26 to conduct business during its first week of a two-week Veto session. The House was in session two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) and canceled session for Thursday, October 26. The Senate was in session for three days this week (Tuesday – Thursday). Both chambers will reconvene for three days beginning Tuesday, November 7.
Deadline is October 31, 2023
Congratulations to this year's award and scholarship recipients!
Public comment period for 2023 policy resolutions will be open from September 21, 2023 to September 27, 2023.
Join us for the IPHA Annual Business Meeting on December 14th at 1:00PM CST.
IPHA President, Monica Hendrickson, is holding a special election to fill the vacant President-Elect position on the IPHA Executive Council. The 2023 IPHA Special Election will take place using an online voting system to ensure an effortless process for our members to cast their votes.
Voting will end August 25, 2023.
The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) welcomed the increases in state funding for certified local health departments in the Illinois Department of Public Health’s FY2024 budget that was passed by the General Assembly on May 27, and which will be sent to Governor Pritzker for signature.
While the General Assembly completed most of its work by Friday’s self-imposed early adjournment deadline, work remains to be done on the budget, the substantive legislation necessary to implement the budget and a handful of other matters. Both chambers worked into the night on Friday and then adjourned until Wednesday, May 24. The Senate is scheduled to be in session Wednesday and Thursday. The House is scheduled to be in session Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday although leadership has not ruled out the possibility of needing to be in session on Saturday as well. The new fiscal year starts July 1.
The Illinois Senate was in session Tuesday through Friday; session for Saturday and Sunday was canceled. The Illinois House was in session Tuesday through Thursday. Both chambers return to session on Monday, May 8. May 11 is the House Third Reading deadline in the Senate. May 12 is the Senate Bill Third Reading deadline in the House. Note, the Senate created an Agreed Bill List with 108 bills to expedite final passage of non-controversial legislation. One roll call will be taken on Wednesday for legislation on the Agreed Bill List.
In announcing its Know Mpox public service campaign, the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) unveiled today new text message alerts, a comprehensive digital tool kit, and a grassroots reporting system to help residents, LGBTQ+ resource centers, and Community Health Workers statewide locate nearby mpox treatments and preventative services.
We are pleased to announce that the 2023 IPHA Election will once again take place using an online voting system to ensure an effortless process for our members to cast their votes.
Voting will take place May 1st through May 31st.
The Illinois General Assembly returned from a two-week spring break with both chambers convening session Tuesday through Thursday of this week. Both chambers return to Springfield for four days of session starting Tuesday, May 25. Friday, April 28 is the committee deadline for substantive legislation to pass out of the second chamber. Four weeks remain in the spring legislative session; adjournment is scheduled for May 19.
Following a two-week spring break, the Illinois General Assembly started its final stretch of the 2023 Spring Session on Tuesday, April 18. An early adjournment is still scheduled for May 19.
Both chambers will begin to consider the opposite chamber’s legislation at the committee level and also finalize original chamber legislation that remains pending with extended deadlines. Appropriations committees in both chambers continue to review the Governor’s introduced budget at the agency level. April 28 is the deadline to pass substantive bills out of committee in the opposite chamber.
This week Illinois joins other states across the United States to observe National Public Health Week.
The Illinois General Assembly stands adjourned for the week. The Illinois House was in session Tuesday through Thursday considering resolutions and holding committee hearings. The Illinois Senate met Tuesday through Friday to consider Senate Bills for final passage. Today, Friday March 31, is the deadline to pass substantive Senate bills out of the Senate.
During the first full week of April each year, the American Public Health Association (APHA) brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation's health. For over 25 years, APHA has served as the organizer of NPHW, and IPHA is a proud partner and collaborator in these efforts.
The Illinois House was in session last week, while the Illinois Senate was not. Both chambers return to session on Tuesday, March 21. There is one week left to consider substantive House Bills for final passage in the House; Friday, March 24 is the House Third Reading deadline. Two weeks are left to consider substantive Senate Bills for passage in the Senate. The deadline to file Floor Amendments to Senate Bills is Friday, March 24 at 3pm.
The Illinois General Assembly was in session four days this week – Tuesday through Friday. The Illinois
House convenes again on Tuesday, March 14 at noon for three days. The Illinois Senate is off next week.
March 10 is the deadline to pass substantive legislation out of committee in the chamber of origin. Thousands of bills were scheduled for committee hearings this week in both chambers (roughly 817 Senate Bills and 1,157 House Bills) making for long committee hearings and long days.
APHA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s COVID-19 Public Education Campaign, We Can Do This, have partnered to educate patients about their risk for severe COVID-19 and the availability of treatments.
Legislative priorities for the Illinois Public Health Association for the 2023 Legislative Calendar Year.
The Illinois House adjourned for the week after spending Tuesday through Thursday in session. The Senate was off this week. Both chambers return to session on Tuesday, March 7. Friday, March 10 is the deadline to pass substantive legislation out of committee in the chamber of origin.
The Illinois General Assembly was in session Tuesday through Thursday of the week of February 20, primarily considering legislation at the committee level. The Illinois House reconvenes on Tuesday, February 28 for three days of session. The Senate is off next week and will reconvene on Tuesday, March 7.
The Illinois Senate was in session Tuesday and Wednesday of this week; Thursday’s session was canceled. The Illinois Senate returns to session on Tuesday, February 7. The Illinois House returns to session on Tuesday, January 31.
Note the drafting deadline is today (Friday, January 27) for substantive Senate Bills and Friday, February 3 for substantive House Bills.
The Illinois General Assembly was not in session this week. The Illinois Senate returns to session on Tuesday, January 24. The Illinois House returns to session on Tuesday, January 31.
The 102nd Illinois General Assembly adjourned sine die. Prior to adjourning, the Illinois General Assembly approved a ban on assault weapons, an omnibus abortion and reproductive health package, an economic development package, a supplemental appropriation and budget implementation legislation, mandatory paid time off for private workers, energy legislation and several other items. Members of the 103rd General Assembly will be sworn into office at noon on Wednesday, January 11. Leadership teams for the Democratic supermajorities were expanded under SB 1720 (Sims/Harris). Beginning in the 103rd General Assembly, two additional leadership positions are created for the House Democrats -- the new position of House Speaker Pro Tempore and an additional Majority Leader. There will also be one additional Senate Majority Leader.
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) will receive $500,000 in funding to expand its Community Health Worker Training Programs. The funding was secured as part of more than $182 million in Congressionally directed spending projects for Illinois for Fiscal Year 2023 through the Omnibus Appropriations Act by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL). This investment will help IPHA to grow the community and public health workforce.
The COVID-19 Pandemic challenged our health care systems in ways few thought possible. As the severity of this public health crisis began to unfold, our teams jumped into action to assess how we could aid families in Illinois directly affected by the virus. Through funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health, we were able to conduct research, build partnerships, and ultimately deploy a statewide network and program to help Illinois residents across the state.
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned the first week of veto session, with both chambers canceling Thursday’s scheduled session. The Legislature will return for the second and final week of Veto Session November 29 - December 1.
The Illinois General Assembly begins its six day Fall Veto Session beginning Tuesday, November 15. Veto session will run November 15 – 17 and November 29 – December 1 – note that the House canceled session for Thursday, November 17.
The 2022 midterm elections solidified Illinois as a solidly blue state with Democrats winning big up and down the ticket. Democrats benefited from a huge fundraising advantage as well as the newly drawn congressional and legislative districts which were crafted under their control.
Election Preview: Illinois’ General Election is Tuesday, November 8. While Republicans seem to be picking up momentum elsewhere in the midterm elections, barring any unexpected upsets, Democrats are expected to perform fairly well overall in Illinois on Tuesday. As always, voter turnout will be key.
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) was awarded a $3 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
IPHA Congratulates New Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra
Today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn its landmark 1973 decision to protect a women’s liberty to abortion services is disheartening and a significant setback to the health of all Americans.
SPRINGFIELD, IL – May is Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the impacts of trauma on the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of children, families, and communities.
Tom Hughes, Executive Director of the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), released the following statement on Thursday.