Rauner: Budget cuts won't affect fight against measles outbreak
Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget cuts to the department of public health would not affect the state's efforts to control the most recent measles outbreak, a Rauner spokeswoman said.
"The proposed budget maintains laboratory funding and grants to local health departments which IDPH works with to do contact tracing, investigate the source and prevent the spread of the disease," spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said.
Cook County has seen 14 measles cases since the outbreak began in early February. Children who attend a KinderCare school in Palatine account for 13 of the county's cases.
The governor's proposal calls for a cut of $30 million, or about 5 percent, for the department in next year's budget.
During outbreaks, the Department of Public Health works to find the disease source and stop the spread across the state.
The department also administers vaccinations to those who have been exposed, conducts laboratory tests and assists local health departments and health care providers during disease outbreaks.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav Shah has said the "easy" way to end the measles outbreak is to get vaccinated.
"The vaccine is 97 percent effective upon receipt of two doses. But the vaccine alone doesn't provide protection; it is the vaccination that will prevent disease," Shah said earlier this month.