CDPH Weekly Media Brief, 02/13/2026

Jump Ahead

• Heart Health Month Events
• Meningococcal Disease Update
• Healing Arts Chicago Returns
• Offices Closed for Washington's Birthday

Heart Health Month Events with Park District

CDPH is partnering with the Park District to offer free heart health screenings throughout February for Heart Health Month. Chicagoans can get blood pressure checks, lifestyle risk assessments, and heart rate screenings on February 21 at Garfield Park, February 26 at Warren Park and February 27 at Ogden Park. The Park District is also offering free access to over 70 fitness centers across Chicago, February 1-15.

For more information on screening times and locations, visit the Chicago Park District website.

Meningococcal Disease Update

N. meningitidis is transmitted through direct contact with saliva, but usually requires close and lengthy contact to spread, such as through kissing or between people who live together. It is not as contagious as germs like the common cold or flu. Chicago sees up to 10-15 meningococcal infections each year, typically concentrated around the winter months.

Meningococcal disease can be a very serious illness. Symptoms can start similarly to a common illness, such as a fever, chills, fatigue, and nausea, but can worsen rapidly. See your healthcare provider immediately if you feel sick and begin to experience symptoms such as a stiff neck, heightened sensitivity to light, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, vomiting or diarrhea, or a dark purple rash on the body.

Cases are most common among the elderly and teenagers and young adults. For best protection, the state of Illinois recommends MenACWY vaccination for all patients at ages 11 or 12, with a booster dose at age 16.

For more information about meningococcal disease, visit the Cleveland Clinic website.

Healing Arts Chicago Returns

Healing Arts Chicago recently began a new session, offering a wide range of free arts services to support mental health and wellness at the City's mental health clinics and health hubs. The current session will run until April 3 and includes activities such as yoga, sound meditation, writing, mural building, and more.

Visit the CDPH website to find the upcoming schedule and registration for free classes and read more about the Healing Arts Chicago program and current practitioners-in-residence.

CDPH Observes Washington's Birthday

All CDPH offices and clinics will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of George Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day. All CDPH offices and clinics will resume regular hours on Tuesday, February 17.

For information on hours, services, and locations of the City's medical clinics, visit the CDPH website.

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