From left to right, Health News Illinois reporter Ryan Voyles, University of Chicago Medicine infectious disease expert Dr. Emily Landon, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, Cook County health department Chief Operating officer Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra during a Health News Illinois presentation Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

The biggest challenge facing public health departments is misinformation not unlike the kinds of hoaxes and half-truths that spread rampantly during the pandemic, Illinois’ top health officials said Tuesday.