Chicago Board of Health
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chicago Board of Health is the local board of health of the city of Chicago. Two previous iterations existed before the modern board was formed in 1932. The modern board is a policy-making body for health related matters and advises the Chicago Department of Public Health.
In 1835, the Illinois Legislature permanently created a seven-member board.[1][2] This had been briefly preceded by a temporary board of health that was established in 1834 to fight an outbreak of cholera.[1][2] In the mid-1850s, with transmission of cholera and smallpox being regarded as under control, the board saw its powers reduced.[1]
Amid the economic burdens of the panic of 1857, the Chicago Board of Health was seen as an unneeded luxury, and it was abolished in 1857. Its responsibilities were transferred to the Chicago Police Department.[1][2]
Second iteration
In 1867, with cholera again a problem, a new Chicago Board of Health was established.[1][2] Its authority was independent of the Chicago City Council and Chicago Police Department.[2]
Beginning in July 1867, the board took measures to vaccinate people against smallpox. That year, the Board of Health successfully recommended that children be forbidden to attend public schools without a certificate of vaccination. Free vaccination was provided to school children.[3] In 1869, the Chicago Board of Health required that all children be vaccinated.[2]