Chicago Department of Public Health Weekly Media Brief, 8/4/2023

August 4, 2023

CDPH Public Information     media.cdph@cityofchicago.org

Jump Ahead

Lollapalooza is Here!

Headed to Lollapalooza this weekend or know someone who is? Remember these tips to stay safe, and let your friends and family know, too. Harm reduction isn’t the name of a band playing this weekend, it’s the practice of minimizing the negative social and/or physical consequences associated with various behaviors, both legal and illegal. For Lollapalooza, this means staying hydrated, engaging in crowd safety, knowing the signs of heat stroke, carrying Narcan and testing drugs before consumption. Visit any Chicago Public Library branch to access free Narcan or email osu.cdph@cityofchicago.com to request fentanyl test kits.

Illinoisans Being Dropped from Medicaid Rolls

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) reported this week that more than 47,000 Illinoisans have lost Medicaid coverage due to the massive shift in health care coverage started this spring when the United States ended the COVID-19 pandemic’s emergency phase. States have begun to redetermine eligibility for Medicaid for the first time in three years, an unwinding period that is expected to last about 12 months as states send renewal notices.

HFS estimates that approximately 700,000 people in Illinois could lose Medicaid coverage during the unwinding period. So, what can people enrolled in Medicaid do now to ensure they retain coverage?

  1. Go to abe.illinois.gov and set-up a "Manage My Case" account.

  2. Verify your address. Click "Manage My Case" and verify your household information under "Contact Us" or call 1-800-843-6154.

  3. Find your due date. To find your redetermination date, check the "Benefit Details" tab at abe.illinois.gov.

  4. Check your mail. Renewal notices are mailed 30 days before due dates. 

  5. Complete your renewal and connect to coverage and care. 

Chicago Department of Family & Support Service Centers can help. Locate service centers and phone numbers at: bit.ly/CommunityServiceCenterLocations

Watch Out for Mosquitoes and Ticks

This summer's hot weather has led to a particularly active mosquito and tick season, which comes with higher risk for mosquito and tick-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and Lyme disease. Chicagoans should make sure to take the appropriate precautions to minimize their risk of exposure by taking the following steps:

  • Avoid walking through densely wooded, excessively brushy, or otherwise overgrown areas.
  • Use insect repellant containing DEET or permethrin when spending extended time outdoors.
  • Wear long pants, sleeves, and socks to protect your skin from insects, especially around dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Perform thorough tick checks on yourself after outdoor activities and promptly remove any ticks you find.

Keep yourself safe and free of bug bites this summer! For more information on how to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other insects, visit the vector control page on the CDPH website.

Celebrating Two Years of the CSCC

The Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC), which coordinates across City departments to implement a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of violence, marks its second anniversary this weekend. The CSCC has directed its primary efforts towards the 15 communities that have experienced the greatest impact from violence. Over the past two years, these efforts have included:

  • Community Engagement: Through the dedicated work of our community engagement managers, we've fostered vital connections, delivered essential resources, and facilitated over 180 events and safe space activations. The managers serve as bridges between the community and the City government.
  • Rapid Response: We've promptly allocated City resources and services to areas with a high risk of, or ongoing, gun violence. Our efforts have resolved 979 infrastructure requests including street and alley lighting, rodent control, graffiti removal, vacant lot beautification, and managing issues related to abandoned buildings and vehicles.
  • Support for Street Outreach & Victim Services: In collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health's Office of Violence Prevention, we've actively shared data and organized meetings with street outreach and victim services networks. Additionally, the launch of the Emergency Supplemental Victims’ Fund (ESVF) has provided crucial financial support, dispersing $234,000 to 160 survivors and victims of gun violence to date.
  • Culture Building: Collaborating closely with community stakeholders, we've co-created and implemented initiatives that promote a narrative supporting communities disproportionately affected by violence. These initiatives aim to drive behavioral change for individual and collective well-being while fostering a culture of empowerment to enhance community safety.

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