{short description of image}
1870188018901900191019201930
19401950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s

1890

John R. Lumpkin, M.D.1991
Gov. Jim Edgar appoints Dr. John R. Lumpkin as director, the first African American to lead the agency.




A new state law requires children to be screened forNew childhood lead law takes effect lead prior to entering kindergarten, preschool, day care or nursery school. In the first year, about 23,000 children are identified with lead poisoning.


1992
Seven University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students are stricken by meningococcal disease and two die. The Department joins with the university to vaccinate all undergraduate students against the disease.

1995
Rock Cut Beach Staet Park at Olsen LakeA dozen children become ill and test positive for E. coli 0157:H7 or have symptoms compatible with the bacteria after swimming at Rock Cut Beach State Park in Rockford. The Department of Natural Resources closes the beach and the Department determines that an infected bather defecating in the lake is the most likely source.


AIDS ribbonFor the first time since 1981 when Illinois' first AIDS case was recorded, the annual number of reported cases of AIDS decline. There are 2,186 cases reported in 1995, down 28 percent from the previous year. The state's cumulative total of AIDS cases stands at 16,375, the sixth highest state total in the U.S.


A scorching summer contributes to 702 heat-related deaths in the state, about three-fourths in Chicago.

1997
Office of Women's Health EstablishedAn Office of Women's Health is created in the Department and places a focus on the special health needs of women. It is one of just six such offices in the U.S.


As part of a massive reorganization of how the state delivers human services, 19 programs from the Department, including Maternal and Child Health and WIC, are moved to the newly formed Department of Human Services. DHS also consolidates the departments of Mental Health and Development Disabilities, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and Rehabilitation Services, as well as parts of Public Aid and Children and Family Services.

Newborn InfantThe state's infant mortality rate - 8.2 deaths per 1,000 live births - is the lowest ever recorded.

1999
After an outbreak of group A streptococcus in the Chicago area, Gov. George H. Ryan pledges $500,000 to the Department for the creation of an infectious disease rapid response team.

DNA makeup of E. coli 0157:H7Using sophisticated genetic testing, the Department is able to positively pinpoint beef served at a Labor Day party in Menard County as the source of an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that sickens more than 300 persons in three states.

back