The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has identified its first measles cases this year: Two cases have been reported, it confirmed Wednesday, with one person affected residing in Chicago and another in the suburbs.
In Evanston/Skokie School District 65, 98.35% of students are on record as vaccinated against measles as of November.
Anyone unprotected against the disease can be affected by measles, but children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk of complications, according to the CDC. The disease is highly contagious — if one person has measles, “up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.”
Bessie Rhodes has the lowest vaccination rate with 95.69%, but this total percentage still remains above the 95% vaccination rate that creates herd immunity for measles. Rice Children’s Center has the highest measles vaccination adoption, with 100% of students documented as immunized.
Illinois school code requires all public school districts to report immunization data. All students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Illinois are required to have two doses of the measles vaccine, but schools can grant exemptions for religious and medical reasons.
Measles symptoms can include rash, fever, runny nose, cough and watery eyes. Those infected can develop symptoms up to 21 days after exposure.
The CCDPH advises anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles to contact their health provider before going to a medical office emergency department to minimize risk to providers and other patients
Cook County measles cases
The first case of measles reported this week in Cook County came from a resident whose vaccination status is unknown. This individual resides in suburban Cook county.
In the second case, the individual reportedly had received only one of two required doses of the measles vaccine. This resident lives in Chicago and traveled internationally through O’Hare airport earlier in April.
Other locations the two individuals may have passed through include a health food restaurant on Irving Park Road in Chicago, Fittingly Delicious; an Aldi in Lyons; a Shell gas station in Stickney; and a Mobil gas station in Berwyn.
“The health departments are working together collaboratively to identify and notify people who may have been exposed,” the CCDPH posted in its press release. “The Cook County Department of Public Health is investigating the Suburban Cook County case, and the City of Chicago Department of Public Health is investigating the Chicago case.”
Last year, the city of Chicago saw a major outbreak of measles in association with migrant shelters. Case numbers totaled 64, and in response, 30,000 doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine were administered.s
There were zero cases of measles in the state of Illinois from 2020-2022. There were only five confirmed cases of measles in 2023, and a total of 67 cases in 2024. So far this year, a total of three cases have been reported in the state.
Nationally, the number of measles cases in 2025 has already surpassed that in 2024.
Vaccination information
“As public health officials around the state continue to work diligently to guard against further spread of measles, we are reminded again that being fully immunized remains the best and most effective way for everyone to protect themselves and those they love,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in the CCDPH press release.
“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. We encourage anyone who is unvaccinated, or under-vaccinated, to speak with their medical provider and take appropriate steps to get up to date on the recommended shots.”
Generally, children are vaccinated against measles, and this provides lifelong immunity of around 97%. Children should receive their first measles vaccine between 12 to 15 months of age, and their second dose between 4 to 6 years of age.
For those who reach adulthood without receiving a vaccination, if exposed, doctors may recommend completing immunization. This is not harmful, and may result in a less severe case of measles, the CCDPH states.
Two measles cases reported in Cook County, while District 65 shows more than 98% of students vaccinated is from Evanston RoundTable, Evanston's most trusted source for unbiased, in-depth journalism.