Illinois will become part of the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), Governor JB Pritzker announced Tuesday, positioning the state in direct contrast to the federal government’s recent withdrawal from the UN health agency. The decision follows the United States’ formal exit from the World Health Organization last month, marking a significant move by a state government to maintain international public health collaboration.
Illinois is now the second U.S. state to align with GOARN after California, which joined the network earlier this year under its Democratic leadership. The national withdrawal was completed after a one-year waiting period triggered by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump at the start of his new term in January 2025. The move signaled a major shift in U.S. participation in global health coordination, prompting some states to pursue independent partnerships.
Pritzker said Illinois’ decision ensures continued access to global expertise, surveillance data, and response coordination during health emergencies. GOARN, a worldwide collaboration of more than 360 technical institutions, supports countries and regions in tackling outbreaks, pandemics, and other public health crises. The governor emphasized that participation strengthens Illinois’ ability to detect threats early and protect residents through international scientific cooperation.
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