CDPH Weekly Media Brief, 06/04/2026

Jump Ahead

• CASPER Survey
• Mpox Vaccination Events
• Heat Preparedness and Air Quality
• Free Produce at Greater Lawn

City-Wide CASPER Survey Next Week

Starting on Monday, June 8, CDPH will be conducting a City-wide survey known as a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, or CASPER. The CASPER is based on questions and methods developed by the CDC and is designed to help CDPH and other City agencies (such as OEMC, DFSS, and the Department of Environment) better understand and meet the needs of Chicagoans before, during, and after emergencies. Survey teams will also be sharing emergency preparedness guidance and information about available City resources with participating households.

Thirty census blocks will be randomly selected from prioritized Chicago neighborhoods with higher social vulnerability, after which seven households will be randomly selected from each block for interview. Each survey interview should only last around 15 minutes and will be completely anonymous. Survey teams will be wearing bright safety vests and can provide identification upon request. For more information on the upcoming CASPER survey, visit the CDPH website.

Upcoming Mpox Vaccination Clinics

With a total of five new cases in Chicago over the past three months, mpox transmission has not gone away. With more social gatherings large and small, summer presents an increased risk of mpox outbreaks in cities nationwide, including Chicago. CDPH has been partnering with organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community throughout Chicago for spring and summer mpox vaccination clinics, as well as offering vaccinations at our three Sexual Health Clinics.

Upcoming Mpox Vaccination Events:

• Saturday, June 6, 11 am - 3 pm: Puerto Rican Cultural Center, 2753 W. Division St.
• Thursday, June 11, 2:30 - 4:30 pm: CALOR, 3201 W. North Ave.
• Monday, June 15, 12 - 4 pm: Shine Bright Community Center, 8560 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

The vaccination clinic on June 6 will be part of a Wellness Health Fair hosted by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, on Division Street between Western and California Avenues. In addition to the mpox vaccine, they'll offer vaccines for Covid, flu, MMR, and Meningococcal Meningitis.

Keep an Eye on Heat and Air Quality this Summer

Summertime has arrived in Chicago, with street festivals and outdoor activities galore kicking off all over the city! CDPH encourages everyone to get outside and move around this summer, but make sure to do so safely. As the weather warms up it's always important to take the proper precautions in the heat - drink lots of water, limit outdoor activity when the heat rises above 90 degrees, and make sure to wear sunscreen when spending extended time outside. For more information on how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in sweltering summer weather, visit the CDPH webpage on heat preparedness.

Warm weather can also lead to wildfires in other parts of North America, which can impact air quality in Chicago. Open Air Chicago is a citywide project consisting of 277 air sensors collecting air quality information for Chicago communities and residents. CDPH issues Air Quality Alerts when conditions become unhealthy in Chicago, and anyone can access Open Air Chicago's 24-hour data at any time by visiting the Clarity Map online. Exerting yourself outdoors when air quality is poor can be hazardous to your health; breathe easy by keeping an eye on Chicago's air quality this summer.

Free Produce at Greater Lawn

On Wednesday June 10, a free fruit and vegetable distribution will take place at the Greater Lawn West 55th Street Clinic for WIC and Behavioral Health clients from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.

For next week's distribution, we will be joined by 23rd Ward Alderwoman Silvana Tabares, who will assist with packaging and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables to community members.

This event is made possible through a partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which delivers fresh produce to the clinic.

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