Illinois Defies Trump to Join Global Health Network

In a significant move, Illinois has become the second U.S. state to join the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), following the lead of California earlier this year. The decision comes in response to the United States' formal withdrawal from the WHO last month, a move orchestrated by President Donald Trump through an executive order signed in January 2025.

Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat and vocal critic of Trump, announced the decision on Tuesday, stressing the importance of remaining connected to international health initiatives. "I refuse to sit by as Donald Trump undermines science and weakens our nation's ability to detect and respond to global health threats," Pritzker declared on social media platform X.

By joining GOARN, Illinois aims to leverage a network of over 360 technical institutions globally to enhance its public health response capacity. This step reflects a commitment to safeguarding the state's residents against future pandemics and health crises, aligning with Pritzker's assertion that access to global information and partnerships is crucial for effective public health leadership.