Chicago, IL – Illinois is convening a first-of-its-kind Weather and Public Health Response Summit this week, bringing state leaders, clinicians, and emergency managers together to prepare for the health impacts of climate change and extreme weather. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will host the two-day conference Wednesday–Thursday, Nov. 12–13, 2025, at University of Illinois Chicago’s Student Center West, 828 S. Wolcott Ave.
According to IDPH, the summit will examine how more frequent heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, severe storms, and other hazards affect communities—and how agencies can coordinate faster, more equitable responses. “Climate change is already reshaping the health of our communities,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, calling for urgent, coordinated action across Illinois.
The agenda features main-stage sessions and multiple breakouts, including: clinician and health-system responses to extreme weather; crisis communications; sustainable recovery; impacts on children; how severe events may worsen health disparities; statewide hazard mitigation; and food safety during and after emergencies.
A marquee event, “Illinois Response to Severe Weather: A Director-Level Discussion,” is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. Panelists include Dr. Vohra (IDPH); Ted Berger (Illinois Emergency Management Agency & Office of Homeland Security); James Jennings (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency); and Kristi Jones, deputy director (Illinois Department of Agriculture).
