Health officials confirm six measles cases in Illinois so far this year

CHICAGO — Two more cases of measles have been reported in Illinois, bringing 2025’s total to six cases so far.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), four of the confirmed cases are in Southern Illinois and two of the confirmed cases are in Cook County.

Health officials say there are social links between three cases in the Franklin-Williamson Bi-County area in Southern Illinois, which meets the CDC’s criteria for a measles outbreak.

“The risk to the general public from measles remains low,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said.

Dr. Vohra says the key to preventing measles is the MMR vaccine.  

“Two doses are 97% effective in preventing this serious infection,” he said. “I recommend that our Illinois residents make sure they and their family members are up to date on the MMR vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations.”

No children have contracted measles so far this year and none of the reported cases have required hospitalization, health officials say.

This update comes just days after IDPH confirmed the third and fourth cases in the state of Illinois.

Those cases were reported in a suburban resident, whose vaccination status is unknown, and a Chicago resident who had traveled internationally through O’Hare International Airport in April. 

The climbing case count comes a year after an outbreak in Chicago resulted in 67 cases.

According to health officials, symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Symptoms can appear anywhere from seven to 21 days after exposure.

Doctors say if you don’t know your MMR vaccination status, you should check with your doctor or closest public health facility. If you are not vaccinated, public health officials urge people to speak with their doctors about getting the MMR vaccine.