Illinois Joins WHO Outbreak Network After Trump Withdrawal

The state of Illinois has taken a significant step to safeguard public health by joining the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). This move, announced on February 3, 2026, comes after the United States’ full withdrawal from the WHO under the previous administration.

Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of this independent action, stating, “By withdrawing from the World Health Organization, Donald Trump has undermined science and weakened our nation’s ability to detect and respond to global health threats. I refuse to sit idly by and let that happen.” He further explained that joining GOARN ensures Illinois’s public health leaders – and the public – have access to crucial information, expertise, and partnerships needed to protect the state’s residents.

The decision to join GOARN provides Illinois with direct access to timely global alerts regarding disease outbreaks. This includes access to expert public health networks and international response capabilities, essential for protecting against emerging disease threats. The state will also participate in international training programs, exercises, and best-practice exchanges, according to Governor Pritzker’s office.

This action is a direct response to the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the WHO. The withdrawal, initiated in 2024 and completed a year later, led to significant consequences for the organization, including the loss of approximately 2,000 jobs – nearly a quarter of its total workforce of roughly 9,400 staff members. The US had previously been the WHO’s largest donor, contributing around 18% of its total funding.

The withdrawal faced widespread criticism from medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, and the United Nations. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on global health security and the ability to effectively respond to future pandemics. Trump administration officials acknowledged potential drawbacks, including lost access to data from other countries that could provide early warnings of new outbreaks.

Governor Pritzker’s decision reflects a commitment to prioritizing science and preparedness in public health. He stated, “By joining the World Health Organization’s coordinated network, GOARN, we are ensuring that our public health leaders – and the public – have the information, expertise, and partnerships they need to protect the people of our state. Across our state and alongside valued partners around the world, Illinois will continue to put science, preparedness, and people first.”

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton echoed this sentiment, stating, “We will always choose the health of our people over political grandstanding or misinformation, and we will remain focused on what keeps families and communities safe.”

Illinois is not the first state to take such action. The state’s move follows its earlier participation in the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, a coalition of 15 governors – including those from New York and California – formed in October of last year. This alliance was established in response to concerns about the erosion of America’s public health infrastructure under the previous federal administration.

The decision to join GOARN underscores Illinois’s dedication to maintaining a robust public health system and collaborating with international partners to address global health challenges. It represents a proactive approach to safeguarding the health and well-being of Illinois residents in a world increasingly vulnerable to emerging infectious diseases.

The WHO has previously advised that face masks are inadequate and should be swapped for respirators. This advice came on January 9, 2026.