Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker has announced a collaboration between the State of Illinois and two major Chicago hospitals, Rush University Medical Center and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. These institutions will serve as Elite Special Pathogen Treatment Centers for "High-Consequence Pathogens," under agreements with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

The initiative aims to enhance the capacity of these hospitals to treat highly infectious diseases that pose significant public safety threats, such as Ebola virus, Lassa fever, and pneumonic plague. This move is part of IDPH's broader efforts to bolster global surveillance capabilities following reduced federal support.

“Here in Illinois, we’re working to ensure our state is prepared to protect the health and safety of working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. He emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing treatment capabilities at two premier state hospitals.

Rush University Medical Center will receive $900,000 from IDPH, while Lurie Children’s Hospital will be allocated $600,000. The funding will support maintaining airborne infection isolation rooms, investing in specialized equipment, and providing enhanced training for medical staff.

Dr. Brian Stein from Rush University System for Health highlighted their history of readiness for emerging infectious diseases: “These partnerships have helped us build the infrastructure and expertise needed to respond to public health emergencies.”

Dr. Larry Kociolek from Lurie Children’s underscored their commitment: “This generous investment by the state ensures that all Illinois children can count on us.”

Currently, there are no Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) in Illinois; the nearest ones are located in Michigan and Minnesota. Transporting patients out-of-state presents logistical challenges.

“It is now more important than ever to build Illinois’s capacity,” stated IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. He noted Chicago's status as a global city with significant international travel through O’Hare International Airport.

To further strengthen its response capabilities, Illinois plans to create a Global Health Advisory Coalition and acquire disease surveillance reports using machine learning technology from BlueDot.

The agreements require both hospitals to maintain facilities capable of treating at least two patients simultaneously with high-consequence pathogens. This includes appropriate triage protocols with other local hospitals and specialized equipment.

The state's proactive measures aim to ensure swift responses to potential outbreaks within Illinois, highlighting the critical need for preparedness against current and future health threats.