IDPH to Feature Health-Related Services, Information at Illinois State Fair

Fairgoers can find IDPH at two different locations on the Fairgrounds, with additional services provided by Fifth Street Renaissance at the Illinois Building

KEY POINTS FOR MEDIA:

• IDPH will staff its main booth and a separate location inside Conservation World
• An IDPH grantee, Fifth Street Renaissance, will offer free health screenings and services at the Fair
• All locations will be available each day of the 2026 Fair, which runs Aug. 13-23

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will offer a variety of health-related services, information, and giveaways at several locations during this year's Illinois State Fair, August 13-23, 2026, in Springfield. IDPH will staff two booths on the fairgrounds, and an IDPH grantee, Fifth Street Renaissance, will also provide health information and services at the Illinois Building on the State Fairgrounds.

"The Illinois State Fair is a spectacular showcase of Illinois products and services, and it's also a place to get valuable information and services that can help keep you and your family safe and healthy," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "I encourage everyone to visit us at our locations at the State Fair and learn more about how IDPH protects communities across the state."

IDPH will be present at these sites on the Fairgrounds during each day of the Illinois State Fair:

IDPH Main Tent, on Brian Raney Avenue, across from the Lincoln Stage

Hours: 10am-6pm weekdays, 10am-4pm weekends

Services and attractions include:

• Information from various IDPH programs, including Lead Testing, Environmental Health, Women's and Family Health, Violence and Injury Prevention Section, Pause to Heal and End Friendly Fire (firearms injury prevention efforts), Community Health Workers Certification Program information
• Vaccine Finder poster with a QR code linking to information on where to obtain vaccines across Illinois
• Illinois Safe Home Activity Board, with information on common household dangers and how they can be prevented
• "Pieces of Public Health" coloring board
• Giveaways for both children and adults. Children will receive a red drawstring bag that includes pencils, a lanyard with badge holder (for parents/caregivers to write in lost-and-found information), and a stress turtle. Adults will receive a bag that contains a cooling towel, sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer gel, and ear plugs.

IDPH at Conservation World, inside the Fisheries Tent

Hours: 10am-4pm every day

Services and information include:

• Information on IDPH fish advisories and safe consumption of fish from Illinois waterways
• Information on how to prevent mosquito and tick bites and the diseases they can carry

In addition, Fifth Street Renaissance of Springfield, an IDPH grantee, will have a booth inside the Illinois Building and will have its Wellness on Wheels (WOW) van located just outside the Illinois Building near the Gate 4 entrance. The hours are 10am-5pm weekdays, 10am-4pm weekends. Both locations will offer a number of free services, including:

• Mobile HIV, STI, and Hep C Testing
• STI screenings: Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
• Narcan distribution and education
• Benzo/fentanyl test strips
• Risk reduction education with safer sex kits
• Blood pressure screenings