The amount of public funding allocated to public health in the U.S. has decreased significantly over the past two decades—excluding temporary increases for the COVID-19 pandemic response. This trend in public health funding affects both local and state health departments nationwide, including local health departments in Illinois. Between June 2020 and December 2021, Health & Medicine staff reviewed local health department capacity data from the National Association for County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) 2019 National Profile of Local Health Departments (LHDs) report for nine health departments and interviewed representatives from five local health departments to compare the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to some of their peers’ overall funding, staffing, and functions, and provide recommendations. This analysis purposely focused on 2019 data in order to ascertain funding before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to large, temporary influxes of funding for health departments, and this study sought to focus on and compare pre-pandemic funding, capacity, and function of local health departments. Read the full analysis here.

The Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative’s solutions-oriented trainings and other capacity building supports equip our partners with the knowledge and tools to transform their organizations, institutions, and communities. Learn about our training opportunities here! Our services are available to any organization both within and beyond the social service and health sector.

In this report, you will find information about the many activities, people served, and major achievements in the Chicago AHEC FY 2017 (September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017).

A recap of Chicago AHEC's accomplishments from September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2018. As many changes took place at the federal level, the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program was redesigned and the Illinois AHEC Network responded with a successful proposal that was fully funded for FY18-FY22. On the local level, Chicago AHEC worked with our community partners to examine and respond to Chicago Public School (CPS) school closings and budget cuts as well as the fallout of the Illinois state budget crisis. As a health workforce development program, Chicago AHEC works with our participants to navigate these types of challenges that impact their educational and career trajectories.