Illinois Recorded 23 Measles Cases This Year

State health officials confirmed an outbreak in Douglas and Moultrie counties involving unvaccinated individuals.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Allergies

Illinois Recorded 23 Measles Cases This Year

Live Poll

Should local governments require vaccination to stop the spread of preventable diseases in your community?

The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed 23 cases of measles in 2026. An outbreak that began in August within Douglas and Moultrie counties accounts for 16 of the total infections.

Why it matters

The outbreak primarily impacts individuals who are unvaccinated or possess unknown vaccination histories. State health officials are tracking cases across multiple counties to contain the further spread of the virus.

Official health reports confirm 23 measles cases in Illinois, with 16 linked to the Douglas and Moultrie counties outbreak. The MMR vaccine demonstrates 93% effectiveness with one dose and 97% effectiveness with two doses.

The players

Illinois Department of Public Health

This state agency oversees public health policy, disease surveillance, and emergency response initiatives across Illinois.

The details

In addition to the primary outbreak site, health officials identified measles cases in Kane and Madison counties. Two cases were specifically linked to travel through Chicago's Union Station in mid-September.

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
The Douglas and Moultrie counties outbreak began in August 2026.
Infected people traveled through Union Station on September 10, 12, and 13, 2026.

Health Landscape

This outbreak marks a significant departure from the status established by the 2000 U.S. measles elimination declaration. The rise in cases highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining herd immunity levels necessary to prevent the re-emergence of the virus.

Local health departments have administered over 200 doses of the MMR vaccine to combat the spread of the virus. Residents are encouraged to check their vaccination status and utilize local health department walk-in clinics to ensure protection.

The takeaway

Measles is a highly contagious disease that remains preventable through the two-dose MMR vaccine series. Maintaining high vaccination rates is the most effective strategy to prevent future outbreaks in the state.