MEDIA RELEASE
July 29, 2026
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

Fifth Annual Breastfeeding Supplies Drive Launches August 1 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is proud to announce its fifth annual Breastfeeding Supplies Drive.

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 most needed include nursing pillows, pump bras, and manual breast pumps. 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.

WIC staff will also be accepting donations at Urbana’s Market on the Square on Saturday, August 8, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. They 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.

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Download 2026-07-29-National-breastfeeding-month-PR
Download 2026-07-29-National-breastfeeding-month-Flyer 

MEDIA RELEASE
July 23, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Summer Food Service Program for Kids Begins July 24

Free Breakfast and Lunch Offered, Extending Access After Other Districts' Programs End 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is once again hosting the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), beginning Friday, July 24. This essential program provides free breakfast and lunch for children during the summer when area school districts are not running similar programs. SFSP is sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and will run July 24–31 and August 10–12.

Meals will be served to children ages one to 18 in the CUPHD lobby located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Breakfast is served from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch is served from 12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. All meals must be eaten on-site, and no sign-up is required to participate.

“The Summer Food Service Program is an essential service for our community. We know that many children receive their best, or only, meals at school. The local school districts do an incredible job feeding our youth during the school year and throughout the summer. We are happy to be able to fill the gap for the few days they are closed this summer,” says Program Coordinator Jennifer Lotton.

Adds Administrator Dr. Mamadou Tounkara, “Champaign Urbana Public Health District is delighted to serve as a Summer Food Service Program site for our community. We invite families with children to participate in this program. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and appreciate the participation of local families. Our goal is to provide a welcoming, inclusive space where children and families can enjoy nutritious meals and connect with one another throughout the summer.”

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Families can find SFSP schedules for Unit 4 schools at https://www.champaignschools.org/live_feeds/12449839. Schedules for Urbana School District 116 can be found at https://usd116.org/summer-meals-2026/.

To find additional SFSP meal sites, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

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Download 2026-07-23-Summer-food-service-program-PR 

MEDIA RELEASE
July 14, 2026
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, Unit 4 School District Investigating Tuberculosis Exposure at Local School

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has identified an individual associated with Edison Middle School who has contagious tuberculosis (TB). In conjunction with school officials and staff, CUPHD is in the process of evaluating students and staff who have been exposed. Individuals who may have had prolonged exposure have received a joint email from CUPHD and Unit 4 with directions on when and where to get evaluated. If someone does not receive an email, they do not need testing based on the current investigation.

The most common way individuals become infected with TB bacteria is by spending a significant amount of time in an enclosed space with poor ventilation with a person who has active TB. There is a difference between TB infection and TB disease. People with TB disease are sick from the bacteria that are active in their bodies. They may cough a lot, feel weak, have a fever, lose weight, cough up blood, or have night sweats. Those with the disease can spread TB bacteria to others. People with TB infection without disease have TB bacteria in their body but are not sick because the bacteria are inactive. They cannot spread TB bacteria to others. About one in ten people with TB infection become sick with the disease. TB can be treated and cured.

Communicable disease investigation is a regular activity for CUPHD. The current investigation is a routine part of preventing the spread of TB in the community. All students and staff who test positive for infection will receive further testing and medication to ensure that they do not develop the active form of TB disease.

CUPHD has established a warmline for anyone with questions regarding TB exposure. Callers can leave their name, number, and questions at 217-531-4341 and a Health District representative will contact them during regular business hours.

For more information on symptoms, testing, and treatment of TB, visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/tb.html.

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Download 2026-07-14-TB-Investigation-PR