Illinois Lyme Association

08/11/2026

Recently, our team met to discuss our upcoming medical conference on September 8 in Champaign, Illinois. One topic we’re looking forward to hearing more about is alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a potentially life threatening allergy to red meat and other mammalian products. AGS has made headlines among news organizations and content creators this year, and we’re excited to bring this topic to the forefront for healthcare professionals as well.

If you are a healthcare provider, we hope you will consider attending the Foundations in Tickborne Diseases Medical Conference, featuring the ILADS Vector-Borne Illness Fundamentals course. The conference is free, and the deadline to register is August 31, 2026.

Attendees will receive 7 CMEs. Register here:
https://www.illymeassociation.org/foundations

08/06/2026

Our 6th annual golf outing is on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois. The golf tournament is our biggest fundraising event of the year. Come join us for an amazing day of golf. You can register here:
https://www.illymeassociation.org/events

We also have sponsorship opportunities available. Your support helps fund vital Lyme and tickborne disease research, healthcare provider education, and patient support programs throughout the year—all to improve awareness and the lives of those living with tickborne diseases in the state.

08/05/2026

Last week, we had the opportunity to speak with many health and medical professionals about tickborne diseases in the state, as well as prevention and awareness, during the annual Illinois Rural Health Association conference in Champaign, Illinois.

08/05/2026

We will forever be grateful for the groundbreaking work Dr. Brandon Jutras has done for the Lyme community. Dr. Jutras was slated to speak at our upcoming tickborne disease medical conference next month, and his absence will be felt far and wide.

View Dr. Brandon Lyon Jutras's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/03/2026

Illinois Lyme Association board member Dr. Casey Kelley, MD discussed our upcoming Foundations in Tickborne Diseases Medical Conference on an episode of Tick Boot Camp. The conference is being done in partnership with ILADS and takes place on September 8, 2026, in Champaign, Illinois. Dr. Kelley will be a featured presenter at the conference.

For more details or to register, view our registration page:
https://www.illymeassociation.org/foundations

Registration closes on August 31, 2026.

Stay tuned for the full Tick Boot Camp Podcast episode, launching on August 15, 2026.

07/17/2026

If you are a healthcare professional, please consider joining us for Foundations in Tickborne Diseases, a FREE event hosted by Illinois Lyme Association in partnership with ILADS.

This conference is a one-day event on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm in Champaign, Illinois and will be offered at no cost to healthcare professionals for a total of 7 CMEs.

Conference speakers include Casey Kelley, MD, Chris Winfrey, MD, Christine Saba, MD, PharmD, and Amy Offutt, MD.

Register at illymeassociation.org/foundations or click the link in our bio.

We look forward to seeing you in September!

07/07/2026

Registration for our FREE Foundations in Tickborne Diseases Medical Conference featuring the ILADS Vector-Borne Illness Fundamentals curriculum is now open. Currently, we have providers represented from four states, and we’d love to see you there!

Register here:
https://www.illymeassociation.org/foundations

06/22/2026

ILA presents Foundations in Tickborne Diseases, a one-day Midwest Regional Medical Conference in partnership with ILADS, on September 8, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois.

Our featured ILADS speakers for the Vector-borne Illness Fundamentals course include Chris Winfrey, MD, Casey Kelley, MD, and Christine Saba, MD, PharmD.

This one-day conference provides essential clinical education and 7 CMEs for healthcare professionals at no charge. Register here:
https://www.illymeassociation.org/foundations

06/22/2026

“Illinois is among the top 13 states seeing a rise in alpha-gal syndrome cases caused by a bite from the lone star tick, with residents living in southern Illinois at the highest risk, according to a 2025 study by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.”

Alpha-gal syndrome cases are rising in southern Illinois due to surging tick populations, making diagnosis critical.

06/22/2026

A few weeks ago, we were invited to the Iroquois County Health Resource Fair. We also stopped at the Iroquois County Health Department to drop off trail signs, park posters, tick removal kits, and other educational resources. Working with our local and state health departments is one of the ways we spread the word out about tickborne diseases in Illinois.