Springfield, IL – Illinois has been elevated to a top-tier ranking for emergency preparedness in a newly released national report, marking a significant improvement in the state’s ability to respond to public health crises.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the state was designated a “high-performance” state in the 2026 report by Trust for America’s Health. The ranking represents the highest category and places Illinois among 20 states recognized for strong emergency readiness.
Officials said Illinois moved up from the middle tier in 2025, reflecting expanded investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and response systems aimed at handling disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
The report evaluates states using 10 key indicators, including incident management, patient safety, and health security surveillance. IDPH leaders said recent efforts have focused on improving preparedness in vulnerable communities and strengthening statewide coordination.
Governor JB Pritzker said the recognition highlights Illinois’ continued focus on science-based public health strategies, while also expressing concern about federal-level support for future emergencies.
State health officials pointed to several initiatives driving the improvement, including a $45 million upgrade to public health data systems, expanded training programs, and the development of a post-COVID response playbook. Additional efforts include strengthening immunization access, supporting mobile vaccine clinics, and upgrading hospitals to handle high-risk pathogens.
Illinois has previously reached the top tier in 2020 and 2022. Health leaders say they plan to continue building on current progress to maintain readiness for future public health threats.
