The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is giving Illinois more than $20 million to prepare for public health emergencies. The state will use the money to compile databases of information on infectious diseases, to conduct mock disaster exercises, and to improve communication between medical centers. Melaney Arnold is with the state’s public health department. She says the money will especially help a key player in responding to public health situations: local health departments.
ARNOLD: A lot of the local health departments will act as distribution sites should there be a need for medication and medical disbursal.
Arnold says the federal government is still determining when to distribute the money to Illinois. In addition to the state grant, the city of Chicago will receive just over $11 million.