Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will be present at the Illinois State Fair, which takes place in Springfield from August 7 to 17, 2025. The department plans to provide public health information, services, and giveaways at two locations during the event.

“It is almost time for the annual Illinois State Fair, and I can’t wait to enjoy this truly, unique Illinois experience,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “As you enjoy the food and fun, please stop by one of IDPH’s two exciting locations to learn valuable information to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing you at the Fairgrounds.”

The main IDPH tent will be situated on the east side of the Annex Building across from the Lincoln Stage. Each day will feature a different IDPH program, including oral health initiatives, racial and cultural health equity efforts, children’s health topics, violence prevention strategies, vital records services, women’s and men’s health resources, human resources information, emergency preparedness guidance, environmental health issues, and lead safety awareness.

Attendees can receive various free items while supplies last. These include naloxone kits for opioid overdose reversal (https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prevention/opioid-response/naloxone.html), COVID-19 test kits (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/index.html), first aid cases, pillboxes for medication management (https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/why-you-need-pill-organizer), hand sanitizer (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html), bag clips, cooling packs for minor injuries or heat relief (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002115.htm), sunscreen with clips for sun protection (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/sunscreen-and-sun-safety.html), among other items.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) will join IDPH at its main tent. IDFPR oversees professional licensure for more than 1.2 million individuals in Illinois—including healthcare professionals such as physicians and nurses—and will offer representatives on-site to answer questions about licensure standards. Visitors can also collect informational materials about ensuring quality service from licensed professionals.

“The Illinois State Fair is a wonderful celebration of all things Illinois, including the protections in place to ensure the health and safety of its residents,” said IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto Jr. “Together, we can continue to foster a culture of excellence and trust in the services provided to the people of Illinois."

A secondary IDPH location will be inside Conservation World at the fairgrounds within the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Tent. Here staffers will share details about fish consumption advisories for freshwater bodies in Illinois as well as tips on avoiding diseases spread by mosquitoes or ticks; tick removal kits and mosquito repellent wipes will also be available.

IDPH is scheduled to participate in another state fair later in August at Du Quoin from August 22 through September 1.