September 16, 1999

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has been awarded $1.12 million by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve the state’s ability to respond to the threat of bioterrorism, Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, today announced.

“This funding will allow Illinois to improve the state’s public health surveillance network and epidemiology capacity so we can quickly respond to the threat of biological release,” Dr. Lumpkin said.

The award was part of $40 million that CDC presented to states and major cities throughout the nation for bioterrorism preparedness.

Illinois received funding in four categories:

• $140,312 for developing a comprehensive state plan to respond to acts of biological and chemical terrorism.
• $230,052 to coordinate a public health surveillance and epidemiologic response plan in collaboration with appropriate partners.
• $211,000 for laboratory improvements to ensure rapid identification of biological agents.
• $564,610 to improve electronic communications and training, including satellite capabilities and providing Internet access to the state’s 94 local health departments so information about unusual disease outbreaks can be shared rapidly.

“Besides strengthening our abilities to deal with the threat of terrorist attack, this funding provides an opportunity for us to enhance the state’s public health infrastructure so we can better deal with disease emergencies, whether natural or deliberate,” Dr. Lumpkin said.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments