Our Impact

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Our Focus

Illinois Lyme Association (ILA) is the only not-for-profit entity in the State of Illinois focused on making partnerships that facilitate statewide efforts to advance positive outcomes for people affected by tick-borne diseases. Tick-related illnesses are the fastest-growing, vector-borne diseases in the United States. The most common is Lyme disease, transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. ILA seeks to educate and inform residents about tick-borne disease prevention as well as diagnosis and treatment. ILA also catalyzes networking and coordination among public agencies, the healthcare system, and offers outreach and support for those affected by these illnesses.

Our Track Record

ILA has an established track record of advancing the trajectory of Illinois as a lead Midwestern state for tick-borne disease prevention. ILA is also strategically positioned to help inform and support health care providers to facilitate positive outcomes for people affected by tick-borne diseases.

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Our Legislative Successes

In 2018, in the 100th General Assembly, the Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention and Protection Law was passed to protect medical providers who treat people with tick-borne diseases. The law also established a task force to assist the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in fostering public awareness and creating provider education programs. ILA is well represented on the task force, as our Executive Director, Jennifer Russell, is a member. Public Act 100-1137

On August 12, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed into law a mandate for state-regulated insurance and Medicaid plans to cover longer-term antibiotic therapy for tick-borne illnesses from the 101st General Assembly. ILA was instrumental in this monumental stride forward to improve the health of residents in Illinois. Public Act 101-0371

In 2023, the Illinois Lyme Association assisted state legislators by providing education on tick-borne disease needs for Illinois. As a result, the following bills were signed by Governor Pritzker into law:

  • Providing the Department of Natural Resources shall consult with (rather than coordinate with) the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Health, and members of the University of Illinois' INHS Medical Entomology Program to establish the Lyme Disease Innovation Program. The Department shall contract with an Illinois not-for-profit organization to operate the Program. The Program's objectives include issuing grants to be funded by the Lyme Disease Awareness Fund and other appropriations to State agencies and Illinois not-for-profit organizations.

  • Providing that the Program may issue grants for the purpose of the University of Illinois' INHS Medical Entomology Program maintaining a passive tick and tick-borne pathogen surveillance program, based on ticks contributed by the Illinois public, and including tick identifications and disease-agent testing of a subset of identified ticks; compiling evidence and conducting research on tick bite prevention and risk of tick and tick-borne pathogen exposure; and providing evidence, results, and analysis and insight from both the passive surveillance program, on tick species and tick-borne disease-agent distributions and diversity in the State, and its related research on tick bite exposure and prevention, to support the Lyme Disease Innovation Program objectives.

  • Requiring the University of Illinois' Prairie Research Institute to be paid for the INHS Medical Entomology Program's operation of a passive tick surveillance and research program from moneys deposited into the Fund or from other appropriations. Removes provisions concerning the falsification of Off-Highway Vehicle Stamps. Removes language that establishes the Off-Highway Vehicle Lyme Disease Awareness Stamp. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

    House Floor Amendment No. 1 Specifies that the Lyme Disease Awareness Fund is a special fund established in the State treasury. Provides that the requirements of the provisions are subject to appropriation by the General Assembly being made to the Department of Natural Resources to implement the requirements. Public Act 103-0557

  • Amending provisions of the Lyme Disease Prevention and Protection Act concerning the Lyme Disease Task Force. Provides that one veterinarian appointed to the Task Force by the Director of Public Health must be a practicing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Adds one medical entomologist appointed by the Director of Public Health to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to meet not less than 4 (rather than 2) times each year. Public Act 103-0328

  • Amending the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the issuance of Lyme disease research decals by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that $10 of each original issuance and $23 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund, and that $15 of each original issuance and $2 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that money in the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund shall be paid as grants to the Illinois Lyme Association. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act. Public Act 103-0163

Our Collaborative Partners

ILA has formed partnerships with the University of Illinois, including the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, National Great Rivers Research Education Center, the Prairie Research Institute, and the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS). Collaborations are also underway with The Allan Lab, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS). ILA also works with health care professionals, medical residency programs, and several hospital networks and associations to provide education campaigns for medical providers. 

Our Ongoing Efforts

ILA has several ongoing initiatives to collaborate with health systems, health care professionals and administrators, and laboratories to improve access to care and better the lives of those living with persistent symptoms from tick-borne diseases. Our areas of opportunity include:

  • Partnering with IDNR to provide trail signage to our Illinois State Parks.

  • Collaborating with IDNR and INHS MEL to establish a Passive Tick Surveillance Program

  • Working with medical schools to provide more comprehensive information about tick-borne diseases

  • Expanding outreach to the most at-risk occupations and providing workplace safety presentations

  • Providing ISMS with continuing education opportunities to established providers and clinicians

  • Launching a children’s education campaign in schools.

  • Hosting conferences in Illinois to feature leading researchers, medical providers, and emerging science

  • Expanding our mental health educational program

  • Facilitating communication and collaboration among regional, state, and federal partners

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The ILA is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, 83-2564041. We greatly appreciate your support of our efforts to move Illinois forward.