Kane County committee approves $45,000 medical director contract as TB cases continue
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Summary
The public health committee approved a renewable $45,000 professional-services agreement to hire a medical director (named in discussion as Dr. Anthony Rizzo); officials said the county is managing active tuberculosis cases and had contracted a temporary partnership with Winnebago County for coverage.
Kane County’s public health committee on Feb. 18 approved a professional-services agreement to secure a medical director for the county health department, a contract Michael described as $45,000 and renewable.
Michael told the committee that Advocate (transcribed as "Advocate Dreier") discontinued its infectious-disease program last year, prompting the county to issue a competitive request for proposals. The selected provider — identified in committee discussion as doctor Anthony Rizzo — will help manage tuberculosis (TB) cases, write standing orders and support expanded behavioral-health efforts.
"This is $45,000 for this contract. It is renewable," Michael said, adding that Kane County does not provide medical-malpractice insurance for contracted physicians; the provider must carry their own malpractice coverage.
During public comment and committee questioning, staff said the department is managing four active TB cases started last year and has had as many as 10 concurrent cases this year. Michael said Kane County entered a temporary partnership with the Winnebago County Department of Public Health to cover a gap in services; he also summarized recent year counts as approximately 13 cases in 2024 and about 11 in 2025.
The committee held a roll-call vote and approved the contract. No amendment to the county budget was requested; staff said the expense was budgeted.
Why it matters: TB treatment requires sustained clinical oversight, often including directly observed therapy, and continuity of medical direction matters for compliance and public-safety follow-up. The contract shifts malpractice responsibility onto the provider and seeks to restore a county-based medical director following the end of the former hospital partnership.
Next steps: Staff offered to return with a more detailed TB-program overview at a future meeting; committee members asked for more data on case management and program resources.
