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Posted in 2025.

August is National Breastfeeding Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2025

Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

August is National Breastfeeding Month

Fourth Annual Breastfeeding Supplies Drive Launches August 1st, Alongside New Support Group

CHAMPAIGN, IL – In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is proud to announce its fourth annual Breastfeeding Supplies Drive. New this year, CUPHD is also launching Milk Moments, a monthly lactation support group held at the Champaign Public Library. The group will meet on the second Monday of each month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (please note: October’s meeting will be held on October 6 due to the holiday.) The group is open to all breastfeeding and chestfeeding families seeking support, connection, and community.

Building on the success of previous years, the supplies drive will take place throughout the month of August. Donated supplies will be distributed to parents participating in the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program, which provides support to expectant and postpartum parents. The program helps families learn about breastfeeding and navigate any challenges they may encounter while working toward their individual breastfeeding goals.

Items needed include nursing pads, pillows, and covers; breast milk storage bags; and electric and manual breast pumps and accessories. All items must be new and sealed in their original packaging.

An Amazon wish list has been curated to make virtual donations easy. Items purchased from the list will be sent directly to CUPHD for distribution to clients enrolled in the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program. Virtual donations can be made year-round. In-person donations will also be accepted August 1–31 at the following locations:

  • CUPHD WIC desk (201 West Kenyon Road, Champaign): Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • CUPHD Rantoul WIC desk (520 East Wabash Avenue, #2, Rantoul): Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Orchard Downs clinic (2040 South Orchard Street, Unit 2040-A, Urbana): Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors will also be accepting donations at the Urbana Farmers Market on Saturday, August 9, from 7:00 a.m. to noon at the WIC booth. Counselors will be offering breastfeeding-related games, giveaways, educational materials, and information about WIC services and breastfeeding rights. As part of an effort to normalize breastfeeding in the community, the CUPHD Maternal & Child Health Division will set up a Lactation Station, featuring a comfortable space for lactating parents to feed their babies, complete with rocking chairs, fans, and cold water.

For more information on National Breastfeeding Month, please visit https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html.

 

Download Our Breastfeeding-Donation-Flyer-2025

Download Milk-Moments-Flyer

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Download 2025-07-31-National-Breastfeeding-Month-PR

Posted in 2025.

Extreme Heat Throughout the Week Can Be Very Dangerous

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2025

Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Extreme Heat Throughout the Week Can Be Very Dangerous

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urges Residents to Take Precautions as Extreme Heat Poses Serious Health Risks This Week

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The National Weather Service is forecasting dangerously high temperatures and humidity for central Illinois over the week. Heat index values could reach 105 to 112 degrees, with the most intense heat expected Wednesday and Thursday and continuing into the weekend. Little overnight relief is expected, as temperatures are only expected to fall into the mid-70s. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urges everyone to watch for signs of heat-related illness and take precautions to keep themselves, their families, and the community safe.

Heat-related illness can take many forms, ranging from mild heat exhaustion to the more serious and potentially life-threatening heat stroke. These illnesses occur when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. As the body’s temperature rises rapidly, it loses the ability to cool itself through perspiration. A body temperature of 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes can result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness include:

  • Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher
  • Red, hot, and dry skin with no signs of perspiration
  • Rapid, strong pulse
  • Throbbing headache
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Nausea

Never leave children, older adults, or pets in a parked car—even for a few minutes or with the windows partially open. The vehicle’s metal exterior conducts and traps intense heat, causing the interior temperature to rise rapidly. This can lead to brain damage or death in a very short time. Heat-related illnesses are more prevalent among children, adults over 65, and pets due to factors such as difficulty adjusting to temperature changes, retaining more body heat, dehydration from exertion, and limited access to fluids.

Precautions to Avoid Heat-Related Illness

  • Stay hydrated. Aim to drink at least 48 to 64 ounces of cool, non-caffeinated, non- alcoholic beverages daily. Caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics and can increase the risk of dehydration. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty–drink regularly throughout the day.
  • Limit activity during peak heat. Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. If outdoor activity is necessary, take frequent breaks in the shade or a cool environment.
  • Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Breathable fabrics and light colors help your body stay cooler.
  • Cool down when overheated. Take a cool shower or sponge bath if you begin to feel too warm.
  • Seek air-conditioned spaces. If you feel overly warm, move to an air-conditioned environment. If your home is not air-conditioned, consider visiting a mall, library, grocery store, or other public space to cool off.

Cunningham Township, CUPHD, The Salvation Army of Champaign, and Friend in Me, in collaboration with City of Champaign Township and other partners, are opening a temporary 24-hour emergency shelter from Sunday, July 20, through Saturday, July 26, in response to the extreme heat.

The shelter will serve adults experiencing homelessness who are referred to by Strides Shelter. Eligible individuals must complete an intake at Strides Shelter between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. After intake, they should return for evening check-in between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to be placed on the emergency shelter waitlist.

Strides will provide transportation to The Salvation Army. Please do not drop individuals off at the shelter directly.

The following is a list of additional cooling centers available throughout the local area, courtesy of Champaign County Emergency Management Agency. Please note that some are only available during business hours.

  • Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Champaign
  • Lincoln Square Mall, 201 Lincoln Square, Urbana
  • Market Place Mall, 2000 N. Neil St., Champaign
  • Forum Fitness Center, 200 W. Flessner Ave., Rantoul
  • Rantoul Police Department, 109 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul
  • Champaign Park District, Leonhard Center, 2307 Sangamon Dr., Champaign
  • Champaign Park District, Martens Center, 1515 N. Market St., Champaign
  • Urbana Park District, Health and Wellness Facility, 2002 E. Washington St., Urbana
  • Public buildings, including libraries and municipal, state, and federal buildings, during normal business hours.

CUPHD also maintains a Google map of cooling center locations:
https://bit.ly/keepsafeChampaign

CUPHD is a kid-friendly cooling center open 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided July 25–August 11 for children 18 and under as part of the summer meals program. Television, free Wi-Fi, and books for kids are also available.

Anyone can suffer heat-related illness, and CUPHD urges everyone to take precautions in the summer heat and check on children, those 65 and over, disabled persons, and pets frequently.

For more information, please visit http://www.champaigncountyema.org/ and https://ready.illinois.gov/hazards/extremetempshot.html.

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Download 2025-07-21-extreme-heat-PR

Also see Public Health Temporary Emergency Shelter Overflow Plan

And It’s hot! How do I access summer shelter options?

Posted in 2025.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Fills the Gap with Summer Meals for Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2025

Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Fills the Gap with Summer Meals for Kids

Free Breakfast and Lunch Offered July 25–August 11 While Other Districts Pause Programs

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is once again hosting the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), beginning Friday, July 25. This essential program provides free breakfast and lunch to children throughout the summer when other area school districts are not running similar programs. SFSP is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and will run through Monday, August 11.

Meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis to children aged one to 18 in the CUPHD lobby located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign, Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, and lunch is served from 12:45 pm to 2:15 pm. All meals must be eaten on-site, and no sign-up is required to participate.

Meals will be provided without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. There will be no discrimination during the meal service. Individuals can file a program complaint of discrimination by completing the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online and at any USDA office. There is also information on how to file by fax and mail on the site.

“The Summer Food Service Program is a very important program. Many children get most of their nutrient intake from school food service nine months out of the year and it can be a challenge for some families during the summer. We are very pleased to be able to provide this service when school is out,” according to Brandon Meline, director of Maternal and Child Health.

Adds Administrator Julie Pryde, “Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is proud to serve as a site for the Summer Food Service Program. This year marks our 16th year as a site for this very important service. We encourage families with children to take advantage of this program and use our building to avoid summer’s heat. In addition to the breakfast and lunch, we also have free books, free Wi-Fi, cold air conditioning, and Disney+ on the lobby TV.”

For more information on SFSP, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals.

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Download 2025-05-29-Summer-Food-Service-Program-PR

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