IL SB1803

Establishes the Lyme Disease Innovation Program within the Department of Natural Resources to be created within one year, operated through contract with an Illinois not-for-profit organization focused on raising awareness of tick-borne diseases.

Creates the Lyme Disease Awareness Fund as a special fund in the state treasury to provide grants to state agencies and not-for-profit organizations for awareness campaigns, education materials, and prevention initiatives.

Program objectives include funding innovative awareness campaigns, engaging stakeholders through listening sessions and roundtables, advancing interdisciplinary collaborations with not-for-profit organizations, and supporting data collection and research efforts.

Requires the University of Illinois' INHS Medical Entomology Program to maintain a passive tick surveillance program that identifies ticks contributed by the public, tests for disease agents, and conducts research on tick bite prevention to support program objectives.

Department of Natural Resources must consult with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Health, and University of Illinois to establish the program; implementation is subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.