With the stated goal of developing a strategic plan to promote communication and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, and other scientific professionals and State agencies, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the One Health Framework Task Force Act last week.

The task force, in the Department of Public Health, is tasked with meeting and consulting with fellow members, is tasked with submitting a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before January 1, 2027 and then providing an update every two years.

The task force was created by Senate Bill 0291, sponsored by State Senator Julie Morrison (D, 29,) and State Rep. Michelle Mussman (D, 56), and passed unanimously in both chambers. However, Mussman said there was some initial pushback from some legislators.

“There was some pushback in committee,” Bushman said. “There were concerns on whether it was going to cost us money and there were concerns on whether a commission was needed to ensure these professionals communicate on their own. Yes, they could but this puts some structure and deadlines on it.”

Mushman explained that the task force, which will be composed of representatives from various state agencies, including the Directors of Public Health, Agriculture, and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as experts from academic institutions and medical fields, will not be receiving any additional compensation. The task force’s primary goals include recommending best practices for interdisciplinary communication, establishing mechanisms to respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks, developing educational initiatives about the One Health approach, and collaborating on emerging health threats. The term "One Health" recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, particularly noting that approximately 60% of known infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. 

Sen. Morrison noted that recent outbreaks like the bird flu, COVID were spread from animals, thus making communication between professionals from different disciplines essential.

“By connecting experts in various different fields that may not normally work together, we can create cohesive plans to handle diseases and health risks that affect both humans and animals,” Morrison said.

The new task force signed into law by Gov. Pritzker compliments a national version, known as the One Health Framework, that was established by Congress in 2023. However, while the national version will need to get Congressional approval to work beyond 2028, the Illinois task force has no expiration date, Mussman said.

Earlier this week national funding for mDNA vaccines — vaccines that target many of the viruses that will be focused on by the Illinois One Health Task Force, was cut by $500 million by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but Mushman said the task force cannot make up for the cuts.

“We convened this before we knew it was something that [Health Secretary] RFK was going to do,” Mushman said. "We’re not going to create a vaccine but we need to educate the public that these problems exist, how they are transmitted, what they can do to protect yourself, what are the symptoms that should compel you to go to the hospital. I think this level of communication and planning will be valuable, even if you’re not planning on getting a vaccine.”