Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2013-09-12

Skokie Board of Health
 September 12, 2013

Present____________________ _ Absent Excused
Dr. Abbasi Dr. Sood Dr. Gaynes Mr. Pandya
Dr. Drachler Dr. Topouzian Mr. Gordon
Ms. Nickisch Duggan Ms. Urbanus Dr. Kaplan
Dr. Herwitz Dr. Usman Dr. Polin
Dr. Luka Ms. Varma Mr. Shah
Mr. Nidetz Dr. Veis
Dr. Plotkin Dr. Williams
Dr. Prince

Dr. Counard, Director of Health
Bruce A. Jones, Staff

Guest: Mr. Mark Lesko, Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m.

Approval of Minutes – The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as corrected.
Dr. Drachler introduced and welcomed our newest board member Mr. Habib Abbasi.

Demian Christiansen, DSc, MPH, Assistant Director & Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance Program
Manager, Communicable Disease Control, Suburban Cook County Department of Public Health to
address: Tuberculosis Overview for Skokie and Suburban Cook County.
Dr. Christiansen gave a detailed presentation on “Tuberculosis Overview for Skokie and Suburban Cook
County”. A copy of the presentation is attached.

Dr. Christiansen covered a multitude of topics including but not limited to: What is TB, How does it
spread, How do we try to stop TB at the Health Department, Who gets TB and where do they live, How
does Skokie compare to the rest of the county. He then discussed issues concerning: the Spread of TB,
Managing TB, TB Worldwide, and so forth.

His final conclusions were:
• TB Rates in the United States, Suburban Cook County (SCC) and Chicago are declining overall
• Skokie consistently has one of the highest rates of active TB in SCC
 o For 2012, with 8 active TB cases, the rate was 12.5/100,000
• The majority of TB cases in the U.S. and SCC now occur in foreign-born individuals from countries
 with a high burden of disease
• Skokie has a large foreign-born Asian population
 o 90% of active TB cases in Skokie occur in individuals originally from Asia
• It is very important to educate persons with a positive TB screening test, and no active disease, about
 the risk of developing active disease among
 o These cases are known as “Latent TB Infection” or LTBI
• Persons with LTBI must be encouraged to initiate (and complete!) LTBI treatment


Dr. Drachler asked the Board what disease killed more American’s than any other in 1901? The answer
is TB. Dr. Drachler commented that the general public is thinking that TB is not present and the reality is
we could be exposed every day to this disease.

Dr. Williams mentioned he was at O’Hare Airport waiting to Board a flight to China, when a woman in
front of him was removed from the area by TSA Security in N95 masks and he later found out she had
active TB. Dr. Counard and Dr. Christiansen confirmed this was a case they had been involved with, a
woman from China with active TB who was refusing treatment, and they were able to contact the CDC
quarantine station to stop the woman from boarding and leaving the country. Dr. Counard added that of
course this individual would have put other passengers at great risk of contracting TB if she had made it
onto the flight.

Dr. Drachler asked if Suburban Cook County does surveillance on immigrants for TB. Dr. Christiansen
explained that yes surveillance is conducted.

Dr. Counard mentioned the Skokie Health Department TB screening program, and emphasized the close
collaboration with Suburban Cook County to ensure that persons with LTBI were able to receive
treatment. During FY13, Skokie placed 689 TB skin tests, with 663 read. 55 were positive and of those
43 were foreign-born.

Dr. Veis asked if schools test for TB. Dr. Counard and Dr. Christiansen explained this is not done in
schools.

Dr. Prince asked if testing centers are available. Dr. Christiansen explained people can be tested at any
clinics in Suburban Cook County.

Dr. Drachler asked if a positive TB test can go negative. Dr. Christiansen said it is possible after
approximately 15 years.

Mr. Mark Lesko asked what percent of people finish the LTBI treatment. Dr. Christiansen said
approximately 80% in Chicago and 50% in Suburban Cook County.

Mr. Mark Lesko asked how they handled the PPD shortage since his facility switched to targeted testing.
Dr. Christiansen explained that they moved away from PPD and contacts were asked for a blood test, and
they have a volume discount with their provider.

Dr. Prince asked about the effectiveness of masks for TB exposure. Dr. Christiansen explained that to be
effective it must be an N95 mask that has been properly fit tested.

Mr. Mark Lesko asked how much of their active TB is attributed to the homeless population. Dr.
Christiansen explained that they do not have a large homeless population with active TB in Suburban
Cook County and that it is more of a problem for the City of Chicago.

Chair’s Report
Dr. Drachler announced that the Health Department’s 2012 IPLAN was approved by the Illinois
Department of Public Health.

Dr. Drachler mentioned that the following members were reappointed to the Board for two year terms:
Mr. Gordon, Dr. Herwitz, Mr. Pandya, Dr. Sood, Dr. Topouzian, Dr. Usman and Ms. Varma.

Dr. Drachler also mentioned Mr. Shah resigned from the Board of Health in order to take a position on
the Skokie Zoning Board of Appeals

Dr. Drachler commented that Bob Johnson had retired from the Health Department after 26 years of
service.

Dr. Drachler wanted to express his thanks and gratitude to Mr. Gordon for his work on setting up the
summer dinner which was well attended and was a great event.

Personal Statements
Dr. Drachler again welcomed Dr. Abbasi and asked him to be prepared to give a brief personal and
professional background overview to the Board at the October meeting.


Director’s Monthly Report
Dr. Counard presented the August monthly report (attached). The highlights included:

Governor Signs Food Safety Training Bill SB1495
Concluding three years of concerted effort by local health departments and industry representatives from
across the state, Governor Quinn signed into law the Food Safety Training Bill SB1495. The landmark
legislation will require all food handlers in restaurants, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, day care
facilities, etc., to receive basic training in food safety, among other measures.

1st Community Flu Shot Campaign Planning Meeting Held
The Department began weekly planning meetings to prepare for the annual Community Flu Shot
Campaign. The Department will administer 3,000 doses of vaccine at the Oakton Park Facility, 4701
Oakton Street, on the following dates and times:
 • Tuesday, October 1 – 10 AM to 2 PM
 • Wednesday, October 9 – 3 PM to 7 PM
 • Tuesday, October 15 – 10 AM to 2 PM

Beekeeping Regulations
On August 19, the Department, Village Manager and Corporation Counsel recommended the Board of Trustees
prohibit backyard beekeeping and establish a community apiary similar to Hanover Park’s successful model.
The Community Apiary would be a community resource, providing beekeepers with a location not immediately
adjacent to schools, homes or businesses, and offer opportunities for public education about honeybees,
beekeeping and the environment. After hearing extensive testimony from beekeepers and the concerned
parents of a child with bee allergy the Board requested that staff look further into the issue, and develop draft
regulations for backyard beekeeping.

Dr. Veis commented that he used our on-line appointment system to schedule his flu shot and he thought the
system worked great.

Community Health Plan Initiatives Updates
Dr. Drachler explained that Seema Terry had to resign from the IPLAN committee due to the loss of her job at
from the North Shore system due to downsizing.

• Access to Healthcare – Dr. Counard reported that the newest opening date for the Erie Center is
 sometime in November and that she is scheduled to have a hard hat tour of the facility next Tuesday
 9/17/13. Dr. Counard also mentioned that Erie received one million dollars from the North Shore
 Health Care Foundation.

 Dr. Williams stated that the Department of Health and Human Services is providing a web link with
 information on the “Affordable Care Act” and perhaps we could put this on the Village web page.

• Obesity Prevention – Dr. Drachler spoke about a Chicago Tribune article concerning the association
 between our gut bacteria place as leading role in obesity, also the August National Geographic the
 front cover focused on sugar, tracing its history and the ultimate role in obesity.

 Dr. Drachler mentioned the loss of a breast feeding nurse from the North Shore system due to North
 Shore downsizing. This appears to have impacted breastfeeding support for new moms.

 Dr. Drachler explained the BMI initiative in schools has been put on hold due to the amount of
 pushback that Evanston had received on this issue.

• Tobacco Use Prevention – The topic of e-cigarettes was discussed. According to Dr. Williams the
 FDA can now label these as a tobacco product. Dr. Drachler feels that the Board will need to look at
 these items and address the use of products in the future. Dr. Williams will provide more information
 this topic.

 Dr. Drachler spoke about an old article (In Health Magazine 1990) that lists drugs that are easy to get
 hooked on and hard to get off of, and at the top is nicotine above crack cocaine and crystal meth.

 Ms. Urbanus asked about a tobacco store selling hookahs and thought it was prohibited. Mr. Jones
 and Dr. Counard explained that stores cannot allow on-site smoking, but can still sell tobacco and
 tobacco related products such as hookahs.

 Skokie will continue to work on the issue of smoke free campuses. Oakton Community College was
 looking at this issue but is now on hold due to the large amount of backlash they received from
 smokers on the topic.

• Healthy Environment – Dr. Drachler mentioned again the positive feedback about pursuing more bike paths
 in Skokie and there was an article about Chicago initiating a bike rental program.

 Dr. Drachler commented that he was made aware from Kaufman’s that there is no commercial recycling
 available. Dr. Counard and Mr. Jones said they would look into this issue with Public Works.

 Dr. Drachler asked for an update on the MPG site clean-up and the possibility of a speaker on the program.
 Dr. Counard will look into having someone come and speak to the Board.

• Dr. Counard mentioned to the Board that the issue of beekeeping will be coming back to the Mayor
 and Trustees. Many of the Board of Health members rasied concerns about bees being kept in
 residential areas and felt that regulation is necessary (e.g. permits, structure, insurance, etc.). Dr.
 Williams made a motion that the Board of Health suggest and support the Health Department in
 requiring the keeping of bees be properly regulated. Seconded by Mr. Abbasi. The motion carried
 unanimously.
Old Business
None

New Business
None

Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:09 p.m.