Illinois Strengthens its Public Health Authority
News Story Aug 02 2004
Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich recently signed a public health bill that strengthens the state's preparedness and response authority in the event of a bioterrorism attack or a naturally occurring infectious disease outbreak.
"While Illinois is one of the best prepared states in the nation to deal with emergencies, this new law will improve the state's means to control the spread of disease, whether it be an outbreak of a dangerously contagious or infectious disease or the result of bioterrorism," the governor said.
The new law expands the power of state government, particularly the Illinois Department of Public Health, in the event of a public health crisis. It is effective immediately.