All News
21st Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit Returns March 11-13
As Illinois families brace for sweeping new federal SNAP work requirements that took effect Feb. 1, the 21st Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit will convene the city’s leading advocates, policymakers, and public health leaders for collaboration to protect food access in a rapidly shifting federal landscape. Hosted by the Chicago Food Policy Action Council, the summit opens today March 11 and 12 with virtual sessions.
Partner in the Spotlight: The Barbara W. Smith Life Center Builds Youth Through STEAM
The Barbara W. Smith Life Center (BWS), a nonprofit affiliate of Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland, Ill., is a trusted community partner serving families across the Southland. Named in memory of the wife of Covenant’s pastor emeritus, the Rev. Ozzie...
On the Eve of Maternal Health Awareness Day, Cook County Launches “Healthy Beginnings” to Support Families Before, During, and After Pregnancy
CCDPH launched the Healthy Beginnings maternal and child health program on the eve of National Maternal Health Awareness Day. The Healthy Beginnings program will deliver home-based nursing care, case management, and wraparound services and support to pregnant individuals and their infants across suburban Cook County to reduce preventable maternal and infant illnesses and deaths.
Local Farms and Food Businesses Receive Nearly $700,000 in Grants to Help Make Metro Chicago Food System More Equitable
CHICAGO – The Chicago Food Policy Action Council and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) are delighted to announce the awardees of the third annual Metro Chicago Good Food Purchasing Initiative (GFPI) Community Fund. The finalists have been awarded nearly $700,000 in grant funding to advance equity in the local food system by funding underserved farmers and food businesses within 250 miles of Chicago to increase healthy food access while also building local economies and promoting sustainable, humane, and fair labor practices.
Cook County Department of Public Health Launches Annual Health Survey to Assess and Improve Community Health
Cook County Department of Public Health today began distributing its annual Suburban Cook County Health survey to better understand the health status, needs and challenges facing local communities.
Cook County Department of Public Health Encourages Residents to Test Their Homes During Radon Action Month
CCDPH is recognizing Radon Action Month by urging residents, no matter where they live, to test their homes for radon, a radioactive, colorless, and odorless gas that can cause lung cancer. Free test kits are available for suburban Cook County residents.
CCDPH Statement on Childhood Vaccination Recommendations
The abrupt changes to the CDC’s childhood vaccination recommendations announced today are deeply concerning and undermine decades of evidence-based public health policy. Cook County Department of Public Health will continue following Illinois’ childhood vaccination recommendations, which are based on up-to-date scientific evidence.
Cook County Launches Campaign to Promote Lead Removal Services
CCDPH has launched a new awareness campaign, “Lead-Safe Cook County,” to encourage eligible suburban Cook County residents and homeowners to apply for free lead removal services and free home repairs.
CCDPH Statement on the Universal Hepatitis B Birth Dose
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) reaffirms its strong support for the universal birth dose of the Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine and fully endorses the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) science-based recommendations for newborn immunization.
Resources to Help with the Holiday Blues
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is proud to share progress on Building Healthier Communities 2030, our next Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan (CHA/CHIP). This community-driven initiative aims to advance health equity and create lasting, systemic change across suburban Cook County.
What the Data Show: Lung Cancer Down, Youth Vaping Down, Inequities Up
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is proud to share progress on Building Healthier Communities 2030, our next Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan (CHA/CHIP). This community-driven initiative aims to advance health equity and create lasting, systemic change across suburban Cook County.
New Report Highlights Opportunities to Expand Awareness of 9-8-8 and Strengthen Crisis Care Across Cook County
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) have released Community and Provider Voices: Strengths and Opportunities in the Suburban Cook County Crisis Care System, a comprehensive local assessment of the behavioral health crisis system that presents findings from community members, behavioral health providers, and social service providers.
Cook County Warns Public of Possible Measles Exposures in Palos Heights
Cook County Department of Public Health today released its latest report, Suburban Cook County Suicide Report, highlighting local trends, disparities, resources and steps to support prevention and healing.
New Suburban Cook County Suicide Report Shows Growing Disparities by Race and Ethnicity
Cook County Department of Public Health today released its latest report, Suburban Cook County Suicide Report, highlighting local trends, disparities, resources and steps to support prevention and healing.
Cook County Rolls Out Saturday Vaccination Clinics for the Season
Cook County residents can get free flu and COVID-19 shots at Saturday vaccination clinics offered by Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Health and CountyCare, starting Saturday, Oct. 18 through March 28. The vaccination clinics will rotate on certain Saturdays of the month in five different Cook County Health ambulatory clinic sites located in Blue Island, Robbins, Ford Heights, Arlington Heights and North Riverside, Ill.
Cook County Confirms Another Measles Case
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has confirmed the third suburban Cook County measles case this year. The case was identified in a suburban Cook County adult whose vaccination status is unknown.
Cook County Department of Public Health Talks About Sexual Health During Awareness Month
September is Sexual Health Awareness Month, and Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has several activities planned for the public, healthcare providers and partners to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health and well-being. Sexual health impacts everyone, and CCDPH hopes to reduce the shame and stigma people may feel around these topics.
First West Nile Virus-Related Death in the State Reported in Suburban Cook County
CCDPH has confirmed the first human West Nile virus-related death in suburban Cook County and Illinois this year. A suburban Cook County resident, whose age is in the 60s, has died. Laboratory testing has confirmed that West Nile virus was a contributing factor to the resident’s death.
Cook County Confirms Measles Case
Cook County Department of Public Health has confirmed the second suburban Cook County measles case this year. The case was identified in a 4-year-old child, a suburban Cook County resident who is not vaccinated. Public health officials believe the case was acquired during international travel.
Cook County Public Health: Don’t Let Your Guard Down Against West Nile Virus
Cook County Department of Public Health is urging residents to stay vigilant and take precautions against mosquitoes, which carry the potentially deadly West Nile virus. The risk of human West Nile virus infection remains high in suburban Cook County.
Cook County Officials Encourage All Residents to Get Naloxone to Stop an Overdose and Save a Life
Cook County officials held a press conference at Corazón Community Services today to announce the launch of the Get Naloxone campaign to educate suburban Cook County residents about naloxone, a safe, easy-to-use medication that can stop opioid overdoses and save lives.
Cook County Officials: Protect Children From Measles
With cases of measles on the rise nationwide and the number of unvaccinated suburban Cook County youth doubling in the past 10 years, Cook County Department of Public Health has launched a new awareness campaign encouraging measles vaccinations when youth reach age 1 and 4 or before entering kindergarten.
Laying the Groundwork for a Healthier, More Equitable Cook County
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is proud to share progress on Building Healthier Communities 2030, our next Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan (CHA/CHIP). This community-driven initiative aims to advance health equity and create lasting, systemic change across suburban Cook County.
Cook County Department of Public Health Celebrates High School Interns from Suburban Cook County
Cook County Department of Public Health welcomed high school students into its Community Health Worker High School Pipeline Program, a new, pilot eight-week internship offering hands-on training, academic support, and career pathways into the field of public health.
Cook County Department of Public Health Honored with Five National Achievement Awards
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is proud to announce that five of its programs received achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) during its 2025 Annual Conference and Exposition, held July 11–18 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Updated May 26, 2026, 11:27 AM