2026 Illinois Vectorborne Disease Conference
About the Event:
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is hosting the 2026 Illinois Vectorborne Disease Conference on September 9, 2026 at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign-Urbana, IL. This free event, with complimentary continuing education credit opportunities, will bring together clinicians and professionals from local health departments, communicable disease programs, government agencies, academic institutions, and healthcare systems to address vectorborne disease threats in Illinois. The conference will focus on strengthening community outreach, enhancing public awareness, and building cross-sector partnerships to improve prevention and response efforts throughout Illinois.
Event Details
Date: September 9, 2026
Location: I Hotel & Conference Center, Champaign, IL
Registration Ends: August 12th, 2026
Contact: For questions or early inquiries, contact OSI-Events@uillinois.edu
Who Should Attend?
- Clinicians, researchers, local health departments, and other leaders in the field of vector-borne diseases.
Coming Soon
Keynote Speakers
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Plenary Sessions
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| Time | Session | ||
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| 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM |
Registration + Breakfast |
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| 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM |
Welcome Address: Dr. Arti Barnes, MD, MPH Illinois Department of Public Health |
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| 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM |
Plenary Session: One Health – Dr. Susanna Visser, DrPH, MS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
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| 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
Breakout Session 1 Tick Expansion in the Midwest
Erik Foster, MS Breakout Session 2 Novel Vectorborne Disease Pathogens in the Midwest
Dr. Bobbi Pritt, MD, MSc |
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| 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM |
Breakout Session 2 New World Screwworm & Asian Longhorned Ticks
Denise Bonilla, MS Breakout Session 2 Advances in Mosquito Surveillance and Prevention TBD |
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| 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM |
LUNCH |
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| 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM |
Plenary Session: IDPH Director Panel
Hosted by Dr. Sameer Vohra, MD, JD, MA |
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| 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM |
Breakout Session 3 Kissing Bugs
Dr. Sarah Hamer, PhD, DVM, MS Breakout Session 3 Travel-Related Vectorborne Disease Cases
Dr. Tirajeh Saadatzadeh, MD |
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| 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM |
Breakout Session 4 Zoonotic Spillover TBD Breakout Session 4 Communication for Vectorborne Diseases TBD |
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| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Plenary Session: Alpha-gal Syndrome
Dr. Johanna Salzar, DVM, PhD |
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| 5:00 PM – 5:15 PM |
Closing Remarks: Dr. Arti Barnes, MD,
MPH |
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Hotels
Courtesy room blocks are available at the following hotels through August 8, 2026, or until all rooms have been reserved, whichever comes first. These blocks are designated for a check-in on September 8 and a check-out on September 9.
Approved government rates are listed based on each hotel’s website and may vary. Please confirm current rates directly with the hotel when booking. If reserving under the government rate, valid government-issued ID matching the reservation name is required at check-in.
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Government Rate: $110/night
2013 South Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Parking: Included
Holiday Inn Champaign
Government Rate: $110/night
101 Trade Center Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
Parking: Included
Hilton Garden Inn
Rate: $159/night (ask if government rate is available during booking)
1501 South Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Parking: $6/night (included with reservation)
Transportation
Airports
Buses & Trains
Train Stops near venue:
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Bus Stops near venue:
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Car/Parking
Parking passes may be purchased in advance for $ for each day.
Parking purchased on-site at the conference will be $ per day.
Visitor Parking Lots:
Amex, Bills, Checks, Coins, Debit cards, Discover, MC/Visa accepted on-site
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- Option #1: LIST
Coming Soon
Continuing Education
Continuing Education Credits are being provided by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the Illinois Department of Public Health
Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The SIU School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit
SIU School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 6.5 AAP Category 1 CME credits for completing this program.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME as an equivalent number of hours of participation.
SIU School of Medicine is preapproved as a continuing nursing education provider pursuant to Section 1300.130, subsection c), 1), B) and P) of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Nurse Practice Act. Nurses may receive a maximum of 6.5 contact hours for completing this activity.
SIU School of Medicine is a licensed provider for continuing education for social workers (license #159.000106), clinical psychologists (license #268-000008), professional counselors/clinical counselors (license #197.000073), nursing home administrators (license #139.000027), and dietitians/nutrition counselors (license #199.000121). This program offers a maximum of 6.5 CE hours.
Illinois Department of Public Health is a licensed provider for continuing education for licensed environmental health practitioners (License #200-000103). This program offers a maximum of 6.5 CE hours.
All other attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance
Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine that speakers, planners and anyone in control of content disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this activity, and also disclose discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation(s). The SIU School of Medicine Office of Continuing Professional Development has policies in place that will identify and mitigate all conflicts of interest prior to this activity. Detailed disclosure will be provided prior to the start of the activity.
About the Event
The Illinois Department of Public Health, in partnership with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, proudly presents the 2026 Illinois Vectorborne Disease Conference, a statewide gathering dedicated to addressing the growing challenges of vectorborne diseases across Illinois and the broader Midwest.
As environmental conditions shift and vector populations expand, diseases transmitted by ticks, mosquitoes, and other vectors—such as Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and alpha-gal syndrome—continue to pose evolving risks to public health. This conference will convene a diverse audience of clinicians, epidemiologists, public health practitioners, environmental health professionals, veterinarians, and researchers, to explore these emerging threats and share innovative strategies for prevention, surveillance, and response.
Through expert-led sessions and panel discussions, attendees will gain insight into the latest scientific research, regional surveillance data, and practical approaches to vector control and disease mitigation. A strong emphasis will be placed on community outreach and public awareness, equipping participants with tools to effectively communicate risk and promote protective behaviors among diverse populations.
The conference will also highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration through a One Health framework, recognizing that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected. By fostering partnerships among local health departments, healthcare systems, academic institutions, and government agencies, this event aims to strengthen Illinois’ coordinated response to vectorborne disease threats.
Ultimately, the 2026 Illinois Vectorborne Disease Conference serves as a critical platform for knowledge exchange, professional networking, and strategic planning—empowering attendees to enhance prevention efforts, improve early detection, and protect the health of communities across the state.
Photography & Media Notice
We will be taking photos and videos during the conference. By attending, you grant the Illinois Department of Public Health and the University of Illinois System the right to use your name and/or photograph in print, electronic, or other media. If you do not grant such permission, please contact us at OSI-Events@uillinois.edu.
Venue Amenities
WIFI: IllinoisNet_Guest
- To access WIFI as a guest – open illinois.edu/guest, complete the guest registration form, accept terms of use, click “register” at the bottom of the page
Lactation Room: A lactation room will be provided during the event
Parking: Free parking available at I Hotel and Conference Center
Discover Champaign
Champaign-Urbana offers a unique blend of urban excitement with natural beauty. With a dynamic arts and culture scene, lively nightlife, local craft breweries, and historic tours of the city and university campus, Champaign-Urbana offers something for every traveler.
