Kane County health director flags first Illinois measles case of 2026, warns vaccine coverage has slipped

Kane County’s executive director, Michael, told the county public health committee on Feb. 18 that Illinois has recorded the first measles case of 2026 and urged county residents to remain vigilant as local vaccine coverage has declined.

"We did just identify the first case of measles in Illinois this year, in this East Saint Louis area," Michael said, adding that the county’s school vaccination coverage is “a shade under 95%,” below the 96% target public-health officials seek. He said the decline in coverage over the past decade includes more people claiming exemptions.

The director described an expanded community health assessment the county will begin in the coming months. The five-year statutory certification process will be conducted on a three-year cycle with partner hospitals and is expected to include about 2,500 statistically significant resident surveys, focus groups and review of hospitalization and mortality data.

Committee members asked about outreach to older adults who may have natural immunity. Michael said people born before roughly 1957 often have natural immunity from prior measles infection, and that the department uses contact tracing and vaccine documentation when cases occur. He said the county is not launching a broad adult immunization campaign at this time but will follow guidance during case investigations.

Michael also warned of potential funding challenges, saying federal support for public-health programs is uncertain and that recent notifications of grant cancellations have led to litigation in some cases. "There is so much uncertainty with federal funding right now for all things public health," he said, noting recent rescinded grants and the possibility of lawsuits that can follow.

Why it matters: Measles is highly contagious and largely preventable with vaccination; falling coverage raises the risk of outbreaks, particularly for people who lack documented immunity. Kane County plans a public engagement and data-driven assessment to guide priorities and is seeking input from municipalities including Elgin and Dundee.

The committee did not take new policy action at the meeting on vaccinations; the director said staff will share more detailed data, including a chart next month, and invited follow-up questions.