Illinois Department of Public Health
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Public Health
Recent News About Illinois Department of Public Health
-
New lawsuit: Pritzker has no authority to impose statewide school mask mandate, trampling the will of local school boards
The lawsuit notes Illinois state lawmakers are considering whether to pass new legislation that would specifically give the governor such public health powers over school districts, signalling lawmakers don't back Pritzker's assertion he already has such powers. -
Chicago church: Court order still needed to block Pritzker from ever reimposing COVID church worship restrictions
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he has no intention to ever restrict church services again, asks court to dismiss a church's long-running legal challenge to his COVID-related authority. -
Teachers unions using COVID to promote state bureaucratic power grab over private schools
Illinoisans should oppose efforts by teachers unions, who have led the opposition to reopening Illinois public schools, to pass a state law to prevent private schools from opening when public schools have been ordered closed by state public health officials, the Illinois Family Institute says. -
Pritzker's immunity shield order may not be enough to protect nursing home from COVID death lawsuit: Federal judge
Court records show 12 residents died, 44 infected in early weeks of pandemic at nursing home targeted by lawsuit. -
Pritzker can't kill FoxFire legal challenge of guv's restaurant shutdown order, Springfield judge says
'The governor cannot rely on emergency powers indefinitely,' wrote Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow, in denying Gov. JB Pritzker's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the owner of Geneva restaurant, FoxFire. -
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear church's challenge vs Pritzker's power to impose religious gathering restrictions
A Chicago church had sought an order preventing Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker from reimposing restrictions on religious gatherings over COVID-19. Pritzker has pledged not to do so, but won't disavow the powers he asserted last spring. -
IL Supreme Court allows Pritzker to kick lawsuit over high school sports shutdowns to Springfield judge
The chief judge of Springfield's circuit courts had resisted the transfer from LaSalle County sought by Pritzker, saying he believed the governor was merely "judge shopping." -
Pritzker to SCOTUS: No intention to reimpose COVID restrictions on churches, constitutional challenge now moot
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Gov. JB Pritzker have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking them to deny a Chicago church's appeal, seeking a court order under the First Amendment barring the governor from reimposing gathering limits on houses of worship. -
Restaurant suing Pritzker accuses state of sidestepping demands for evidence justifying dining shutdowns
Lawyers for FoxFire restaurant in Geneva have asked a Springfield judge to force the Pritzker administration to turn over the scientific reports or data on which Pritzker has relied to support his orders shutting down indoor dining at restaurants and bars amid the COVID-19 pandemic. -
Springfield judge: High school sports lawsuit vs Pritzker going back to LaSalle County, because Pritzker 'judge shopping'
The chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Springfield has refused to allow Gov. JB Pritzker to transfer to Springfield court a lawsuit challenging Pritzker's restrictions on high school sports, saying he is concerned the governor is "forum and judge shopping" to secure a win in court. -
Springfield judge guts S. IL judge's order blocking Pritzker's COVID shutdown orders
The ruling undoes a court win secured by State Rep. Darren Bailey in his legal challenge against Gov. JB Pritzker's use of emergency powers in the name of fighting COVID-19. -
'Out in the cold, without legal redress:' Geneva restaurant asks IL high court to limit Pritzker's COVID shutdown powers
Owners of FoxFire restaurant in Geneva have asked the Illinois Supreme Court for permission to appeal a state appellate court's ruling that has been used to shoot down challenges to Gov. JB Pritzker's COVID-19 shutdown orders. -
IL Supreme Court orders restaurant lawsuits vs Pritzker over COVID closures to Springfield judge
Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow has sided with Gov. JB Pritzker on similar questions over Pritzker's COVID shutdown powers. -
Geneva restaurant lawyers: Appeals court judges OKing Pritzker's powers 'play politics,' now appealing to IL Supreme Court
Lawyers for FoxFire restaurant in suburban Geneva say they'll ask the Illinois Supreme Court to answer the question of whether Gov. JB Pritzker can continue governing by executive orders for as long as he deems necessary. -
UPDATE: McHenry County judges: Pritzker can shutdown restaurants, even if restaurants go out of business
A McHenry County judge said surging COVID-19 infection claims are enough to justify Gov. JB Pritzker's orders shutting down restaurants and bars. -
More suburban restaurants sue Pritzker over COVID shutdown orders
Lawsuits were filed against Gov. JB Pritzker in McHenry and DuPage counties. -
Orland Park mayor: Enforcing Pritzker restaurant orders would leave village open to federal civil rights lawsuits
In a video statement, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said state law delegates enforcement of Pritzker's COVID orders to state agencies and officials, not local police agencies, cities and villages. -
Judge denies attempt by DeKalb restaurant owners to block Pritkzer from closing bars, restaurants in NW IL
A new lawsuit has challenged Gov. JB Pritzker's authority to impose COVID-19 restrictions by region. A judge, though, denied a TRO sought by restaurant owners who fear the restrictions will drive many of them out of business. -
State Rep. Bailey asks southern IL judge to hold Pritzker in contempt for continuing to issue COVID orders
Southern Illinois state lawmaker Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, has petitioned a judge in Clay County to hold Gov. JB Pritzker in indirect civil contempt for continuing to issue COVID-19-related emergency orders even after the judge ruled Pritzker couldn't do so. -
Judge nixes Orland Park suit vs Pritzker; Pre-shutdown due process hearings would make COVID response 'ineffective'
A federal judge in Chicago rejected a request from Orland Park and a restaurant owner for an injunction limiting Gov. JB Pritzker's ability to lock down businesses in response to COVID-19.