Data Modernization Advisory Committee and IDPH Data Governance Board

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has established a Data Modernization Advisory Committee to coordinate data improvement efforts across the agency and enhance data sharing with local health departments. The committee brings together experts from diverse fields and partner organizations, including senior leaders such as the Jurisdictional PHEP Director, ELC Director, Immunization Representative, and Vital Statistics Director. Members also include epidemiologists, informatics officers, chief information officers, and surveillance program leads.

Local health department representatives serve on the committee to ensure their perspectives and needs are incorporated into modernization efforts. The committee works to integrate data initiatives agency-wide, leverage available funding streams, and expand local health departments’ access to state surveillance data. Additionally, the committee participates in CDC-sponsored Data Modernization training opportunities—including calls, workshops, and webinars—to stay current with best practices and emerging technologies.

In addition to the Advisory Committee, IDPH also established the Data Governance Board (DGB), which serves as the central authority for establishing and overseeing data governance practices across the Department. Formed as part of IDPH’s broader data modernization and infrastructure strategy, the DGB plays a critical leadership role in setting agency-wide policies, priorities, and standards for how data is collected, managed, protected, and used.

The Board is composed of senior leaders, program experts, legal counsel, informatics and privacy officers, epidemiologists, and technical specialists who bring diverse perspectives to guide the responsible use of data as a strategic public health asset.

By creating a formal structure for collaboration and decision-making, the DGB ensures that data governance is not just a technical function but a shared responsibility aligned with IDPH’s mission, public health values, and legal obligations. The Board establishes policies that promote transparency, consistency, and accountability, while fostering a culture of data stewardship and innovation. It serves as an advisory and decision-making body for key data-related initiatives, reviews and evaluates enterprise data practices, resolves data use challenges, and ensures that data systems are aligned with operational needs and compliance frameworks.

To lead and operationalize these initiatives, we are actively progressing with the recruitment of a Data Governance Manager. This dedicated role will provide technical leadership, align agency-wide data governance practices, and serve as a liaison between program areas, IT, legal, and executive leadership.

As part of our foundational work, the Board has conducted a comprehensive assessment of IDPH’s data cataloging practices. This effort included a thorough documentation of how data is collected, organized, maintained, and accessed. The findings not only highlighted strengths across IDPH’s data systems but also revealed key opportunities to enhance data quality, consistency, and discoverability.

In tandem, we have started a data maturity assessment, a critical milestone that helped identify structural gaps and areas requiring targeted improvement. This assessment directly informed the development of a robust data governance framework, which will guide policy creation, drive accountability, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our data assets.

Furthermore, we are in the process of updating our aggregation policies. Recent work includes drafting revisions and integrating the new IDPH Data Suppression Scoring Tool, designed to enhance both the accuracy and security of our aggregated data.

Lastly, our board has been evaluating a new HIMSS update tool, which we recently showcased in a presentation. This tool not only streamlines our data governance processes but also provides a roadmap for integrating proven, sustainable methods into our practices. The insights gained from this tool will help us continuously refine our framework to better serve the public.

At a high level, the Data Governance Board is guided by six strategic priorities:

Ensure that information is accurate, consistent, and reliable to support high-quality decision-making and public health outcomes.

Establish clear, comprehensive data management policies, procedures, and governance standards—including data privacy, security, and sharing guidelines.

Facilitate secure and efficient data sharing and integration across departments and with external partners to improve collaboration and service delivery.

Leverage data as a strategic asset by providing insights that inform policy development, resource allocation, and overall public health strategy.

Monitor adherence to federal and state regulations, ensuring that data use complies with legal requirements while mitigating potential risks.

Encourage the adoption of new technologies, methodologies, and best practices that continuously improve data processes, infrastructure, and analytic capabilities.

Through these ongoing initiatives, the IDPH Data Governance Board is establishing a foundation of trust, transparency, and excellence in data management—ensuring that data remains a central force in advancing the public’s health.