Springfield, IL – Illinois public health leaders say the state is losing $100 million in federal funding this week, affecting programs that support local health departments, HIV prevention, chronic disease monitoring and injury prevention efforts statewide.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the funding was previously allocated by Congress and supported multiple initiatives, including workforce development, data modernization and disease surveillance. State officials said the reductions are part of broader federal cuts impacting several states.
Governor JB Pritzker criticized the move Wednesday, saying the funding rollback would strain public health infrastructure across Illinois, including in Chicago, Cook County and downstate communities. He said the state intends to challenge the action.
On February 11, Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined attorneys general from California, Colorado and Minnesota in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. According to Raoul’s office, the suit challenges a directive from the Office of Management and Budget that cuts more than $600 million in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants nationwide.
IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said programs affected include the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, the Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the State Injury Prevention Program and the HIV Medical Monitoring Project. Officials said those initiatives help track disease trends, prevent violence and injury, expand HIV testing and connect patients to care.
State leaders say the loss of funding could affect local health departments across Illinois in the coming months.
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