CDPH Weekly Media Brief, 04/02/2026

Jump Ahead

• Measles Exposure at O'Hare
• Free Food and Veggies at Greater Lawn
• April is Healthy Homes Month
• Healthy Chicago Podcast

Measles Exposure at O'Hare

Earlier this week, the Cook County Department of Public Health confirmed a case of measles in a suburban Cook County resident who passed through O'Hare Airport on Tuesday, March 24. Those who visited Terminal 5 at O'Hare between the hours of 10:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on the 24th may have been exposed to measles, and should call their health care provider right away if they begin to experience symptoms such as a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Measles symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure. The MMR vaccine (measles/mumps/rubella) offers excellent protection against measles - CDPH offers MMR vaccinations at no cost to anyone who needs them at our Immunization Clinics across Chicago.

For more information about measles, up-to-date exposure locations, and how to protect yourself from illness, visit chicago.gov/measles.

Free Food and Veggies at Greater Lawn Clinic

The Greater Lawn West 55th Street WIC clinic is partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide free fresh fruits and vegetables to WIC and behavioral health clients. Once a month, the Depository drops off produce at the WIC clinic, where volunteers and staff work together to bag and distribute it to clients.

The monthly produce varies depending on availability and season but may include sweet potatoes, onions, leafy greens, cabbage, avocados, pineapples, mangos, apples, melons, oranges, and more. Distribution takes place on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. The next distribution will be on April 8.

For more information about WIC clinics, please visit chicago.gov/WIC

Give Your Home a Check-Up This Spring

April is Healthy Homes Month, and it's the perfect time to check up on the health of our homes. Here's an 8-point checklist of steps for a Healthy Home to get you started:

• Keep it Dry.
  Damp houses attract mites, insects like cockroaches, rodents, and help mold grow, all of which are associated with asthma.
• Keep it Clean.
  A clean home helps reduce pest infestations and exposure to contaminants. Regularly clean and declutter to reduce dust, allergens, and other irritants.
• Keep it Pest-Free.
  Seal cracks and holes to prevent pests like rodents and cockroaches, which cause asthma, but avoid dangerous pesticides that can cause neurological damage.
• Keep it ventilated.
  Good ventilation reduces exposures to contaminants and to airborne viruses, helps to keep a home dry, and makes you more comfortable.
• Keep it safe.
  You can prevent injuries by storing medications and poisonous substances out of reach, keeping areas well-lit, and reducing fall hazards.
• Keep it contaminant-free.
  Reduce exposure to harmful substances like lead, radon gas, asbestos, and second-hand smoke, all of which can contribute to serious health problems.
• Keep it maintained.
  Regularly inspect and repair your home, focusing on the foundation, roof, and plumbing to prevent structural damage, water infiltration, and pest entry.
• Keep it thermally controlled.
  Maintain safe indoor temperatures with proper insulation and working heating/cooling systems to avoid health risks associated with extreme heat or cold.

Preventing lead exposure is a public health priority for Chicago. CDPH offers free services to help families and building owners reduce lead hazards. For more information, or to request a home lead inspection, call the CDPH Lead Hotline at 312.747.LEAD, or visit chicago.gov/lead.

Healthy Chicago Podcast

With March in the rearview, we'd like to highlight the importance of carrying over tips from National Nutrition Awareness Month to the rest of the year. On a new episode of Healthy Chicago Podcast, Tallett Vanek (Director of Nutrition at CDPH) is joined by Annie Chacko (Regional Nutrition Coordinator at CDPH) and Nancy Rivera (WIC Supervisor at Alivio Medical Center) to discuss the vital role of CDPH's WIC clinics in supporting families across Chicago.

To find more information, go to chicago.gov/WIC.

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