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About IDPH

Program Updates and Significant Events

IDPH’s work has been featured by ASTHO and the PHIG Partners network, highlighting efforts like the Public Health Workforce Transformation Initiative and the state’s leadership in data modernization. Article summaries are included to keep partners informed and engaged.

Illinois Director Vohra Announces Groundbreaking Public Health Workforce Transformation Initiative

An article titled "Illinois Director Vohra Announces Groundbreaking Public Health Workforce Transformation Initiative at Kick-Off Meeting" was published on the PHIG Partners website and featured in the PHIG Connections newsletter on June 26, 2024. It announced the launch of Illinois’ Public Health Workforce Transformation Initiative, led by IDPH Director Sameer Vohra, which aims to modernize the state’s public health workforce and infrastructure by addressing critical shortages and advancing health equity. Supported by CDC funding, the initiative seeks to build a stronger, more resilient public health system to better serve communities across Illinois.

Illinois PHIG Impact Report Featuring Dr. Sameer Vohra

In a featured ASTHO newscast interview, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra highlighted how Illinois is leveraging the CDC Public Health Infrastructure Grant to transform public health statewide. He emphasized key priorities such as workforce development and data modernization, noting their role in strengthening public health systems and preparing for future challenges. As part of this work, Illinois officially launched the Public Health Workforce Transformation Initiative on April 17–18, 2024, in Springfield—an effort to define statewide workforce needs, create a unified vision for system transformation, and build stronger partnerships across the public health sector.

Illinois Strengthens Public Health Infrastructure with New Data Modernization Director

Published by ASTHO, this blog highlights Illinois’ progress on Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) efforts. IDPH has established a leadership structure, including a new Data Modernization Director and a committee of key stakeholders, to guide strategic planning and implementation. The post showcases Illinois’ commitment to advancing public health data systems to improve decision-making and public health outcomes.

Significant Events

2025 Public Health Infrastructure Grant Annual Recipient Convening

IDPH strengthened valuable partnerships and gained new insights while showcasing its innovative programs during the 2025 Public Health Infrastructure Grant Annual Recipient Convening held August 18–21, 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri. The national conference brought together health department leaders from across the country to exchange best practices and strategies for strengthening public health systems.

IDPH staff shared their expertise across multiple workshop sessions, highlighting the department's innovative approaches to data modernization, workforce development, and cross-sector collaboration. Noah Franklin presented on driving accountability through strategic alignment, while Dejan Jovanov led discussions on leveraging artificial intelligence to advance public health data infrastructure and modernizing systems through improved connections and tools. Kristin Rzeczkowski shared resources and approaches for public health system transformation, and Chanel Phillips discussed building team cultures of accountability and collaboration.

CDC Visits to IDPH and Collaborations in 2023

Throughout 2023, CDC leadership conducted a series of collaborative visits with IDPH to enhance public health infrastructure and data management. Key visits included discussions on PHIG implementation, organizational structure, and assessing communicable disease case management needs, culminating in a summit to shape future data exchange.

CDC visits to IDPH and collaborations in the year of 2023 - Throughout 2023, CDC leadership engaged with IDPH in a series of strategic meetings aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure and advancing data modernization. In March the CDC Public Health infrastructure Center (PHIC) team met with IDPH leadership and program staff to discuss PHIG implementation and long-term strategies for building a resilient public health system. In April, Dr. Jennifer Layden, Director of the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology, and her team visited IDPH to examine its organizational structure and explore opportunities to advance data modernization efforts. The collaboration continued in August with a visit from the CDC Design Team, who conducted in-depth discussions with IDPH staff on communicable disease case management. That same month, IDPH participated in a national summit to help shape the future of case data exchange, further solidifying its partnership with CDC.