Mark Clifton: How consolidating mosquito control in Cook County would backfire
Consolidation advocates such as the Better Government Association and the Civic Federation are taking a dangerous gamble with public health in Cook County — and it's the residents who stand to lose. Critics of Illinois' special-purpose districts argue that mosquito abatement districts (MADs), despite their essential role, are an anachronism. They claim that folding MAD responsibilities into municipal or county government would save money, improve efficiency and increase accountability. But these promises lack any evidence at all — and the risks are higher than most people realize. In fact, consolidating MADs could undermine public health at the worst possible time.
First and foremost, climate change is amplifying the threat posed by mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests. Rising temperatures are expanding the ranges and seasons of vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and rodents — along with the diseases they carry. The Chicago region is already a hot spot for the West Nile virus, and climate change will intensify the danger. Without sustained and proactive control, more people will become ill from vector-borne diseases than we've seen in generations. This isn't alarmism — it's the consensus of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
Cook County's MADs are preparing for that future. Last year, the state legislature passed Public Act 103-0932, expanding MAD authority to address emerging threats from ticks and rats as well as mosquitoes. Far from being outdated, MADs are evolving to meet the moment. Consolidation advocates rarely acknowledge this progress, the dire prognosis for the future or the increased risk residents would face if these specialized agencies were weakened or dismantled.
There's also a troubling disconnect between consolidation advocates and the actual work of mosquito control. Many proponents of consolidation seem to have little understanding of what MADs do — or little interest in learning. Before pushing for drastic structural changes, it's critical to engage with the people who deliver these services every day. MADs are transparent, cost-effective and accountable to local taxpayers. Reorganizing them without due diligence undercuts the credibility of those calling for reform.
More importantly, health departments, cities and counties all have a poor track record of managing mosquito control programs. A 2023 report by the National Association of County and City Health Officials found that 89% of local health departments and 90% of city and county mosquito programs 'needed improvement.' In contrast, just 38% of mosquito abatement districts nationwide were flagged for improvement. MADs were six times more likely to be 'fully capable' than other governments. NACCHO's conclusion was clear: We may need more MADs, not fewer.
Real-world failures make the risks of consolidation clear. In 2012, Dallas County, Texas' under-resourced program failed to stop a West Nile virus outbreak that sickened nearly 1,000 people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and killed almost 20. In 2016, the overwhelmed mosquito control system in Miami-Dade County, Florida, struggled to contain Zika, leading to $30 million in emergency response costs. That wake-up call prompted a major investment — Miami-Dade now spends $14 million annually on mosquito control, 86% more per capita than suburban Cook County.
In 2021, Maricopa County, Arizona, faced one of the largest West Nile virus outbreaks in U.S. history, with more than 100 deaths and over 1,500 becoming seriously ill. In each case, mosquito control programs embedded within county or health department structures failed to prevent disaster. And if you think it can't happen here, think again. In 1975 and 2002, the Chicago region experienced deadly mosquito-borne disease outbreaks that resulted in dozens of fatalities. History shows what happens when mosquito control is underfunded, underprepared or ignored.
There are also serious environmental risks to consider. MADs provide expert-led, comprehensive and ecologically informed services that balance public health needs with environmental protection. In contrast, under-resourced or substandard county programs leave gaps that push residents toward fragmented, do-it-yourself efforts using over-the-counter pesticides. This every-household-for-itself approach can significantly increase pesticide use, harming pollinators and increasing overall pesticide load on the environment. Illinois is home to endangered species such as the monarch butterfly and the rusty patched bumblebee — both of which are vulnerable to uncoordinated, excessive or indiscriminate pesticide applications. A balanced, communitywide strategy remains the most effective way to protect public health while preserving local ecosystems.
Finally, consider the timing. Earlier this year, the federal government blocked more than $400 million in current and future CDC grants to the Illinois Department of Public Health. These funds help support mosquito disease surveillance, especially in areas without a MAD. If mosquito control had been consolidated under the county government, as consolidation advocates suggest, many communities would now be facing serious gaps in protection. In fact, many communities outside of Cook County are going to face serious gaps in protection because of this funding hole. However, residents in MAD-covered areas remain protected, thanks to local funding that doesn't fluctuate with state or federal budgets. And this example is exactly why MADs exist: to provide consistent, reliable protection now and in the future.
Yes, Illinois may have an abundance of local government units. But targeting MADs as an example for consolidation is misguided. These districts are necessary, effective and critical to public health in an era of accelerating climate change and emerging disease threats. MADs save lives and not just money.
If the goal is to streamline local government, there are plenty of other places to start. But rolling the dice on mosquito control is a gamble we can't afford to take.
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