FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Appoints New Director of Environmental Health

Former Program Coordinator Penny Murphy Takes Over Position Held by Sarah Michaels 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) has announced the promotion of Penny Murphy to the position of Environmental Health Director. The position was previously held by Sarah Michaels, who retired in August after 31 years of service at CUPHD.

Murphy began her career at CUPHD in 2005 as an Environmental Health Specialist In-Training, advancing to Environmental Health Specialist I. She later returned to CUPHD in 2009 in the same role and was promoted to Environmental Health Specialist II. In 2016, she was promoted to Plan Review Program Coordinator, and most recently advanced to Food Program Coordinator, reporting to Michaels.

“I’m excited to continue my career with CUPHD. The Environmental Health Division is an amazing team of hardworking professionals who truly care about our community. I look forward to continuing to build and strengthen our relationships with our operators, contractors, homeowners, and the many others we serve,” says Murphy.

Beyond her work at CUPHD, Murphy is also a member of the Illinois Association of Local Environmental Health Administrators (IALEHA), where she currently serves as the secretary and treasurer. She has also served as a planning committee member and director-at-large.

IALEHA is a statewide professional organization that supports and advances standards, training, and legislation that protects public health in Illinois.

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MEDIA RELEASE
July 29, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to Begin Distribution of Padagis® Naloxone Nasal Spray

New generic option keeps naloxone free and available to county residents. 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s (CUPHD) Teen and Adult Services (TAS) Division Overdose Prevention Program is now providing Padagis® Naloxone Nasal Spray free to county residents.

The State of Illinois recently transitioned from the brand name NARCAN® to generic Padagis®, which still contains the same 4mg dose of naloxone and works in the body in the same way to treat opioid overdoses. The change to a lower-cost generic naloxone spray means funding can be stretched further, increasing access to this life-saving medication.

In 2024 and 2025 combined, CUPHD distributed more than 28,000 naloxone kits to community members. According to CUPHD's Fatal Drug Overdose Data Dashboard, Champaign County saw opioid-related deaths drop 67.5% from 2023 to 2024. While 2025 saw an uptick, opioid-related deaths remained lower than 2023 levels by 55%.

"We're excited to offer this generic version of Narcan®! Naloxone has worked so well to reduce overdose deaths in our community and now this Padagis® version will allow us to continue our work in the opioid crisis,” says Harm Reduction Program Coordinator Joe Trotter.

Kits are free and can be picked up at the TAS check-in window located in the CUPHD lobby at 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Champaign. Delivery is also available by calling 217-531-5370 or emailing Joe Trotter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information, visit www.padagisnaloxone.com.

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MEDIA RELEASE
July 29, 2026
Tanya Giannotti, Public Relations
217-531-4939 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

August is National Breastfeeding Month

Fifth Annual Breastfeeding Supplies Drive Launches August 1 

CHAMPAIGN, IL – In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is proud to announce its fifth annual Breastfeeding Supplies Drive.

Building on the success of previous years, the supplies drive will take place throughout the month of August. Donated supplies will be distributed to parents participating in the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program, which provides support to expectant and postpartum parents. The program helps families learn about breastfeeding and navigate any challenges they may encounter while working toward their individual breastfeeding goals.

Items most needed include nursing pillows, pump bras, and manual breast pumps. All items must be new and sealed in their original packaging.

An Amazon wish list has been curated to make virtual donations easy. Items purchased from the list will be sent directly to CUPHD for distribution to clients enrolled in the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program. Virtual donations can be made year-round. In-person donations will also be accepted August 1–31 at the following locations:

• CUPHD WIC desk (201 West Kenyon Road, Champaign): Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• CUPHD Rantoul WIC desk (520 East Wabash Avenue, #2, Rantoul): Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Orchard Downs clinic (2040 South Orchard Street, Unit 2040-A, Urbana): Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WIC staff will also be accepting donations at Urbana’s Market on the Square on Saturday, August 8, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. They will be offering breastfeeding-related games, giveaways, educational materials, and information about WIC services and breastfeeding rights. As part of an effort to normalize breastfeeding in the community, the CUPHD Maternal & Child Health Division will set up a Lactation Station, featuring a comfortable space for lactating parents to feed their babies, complete with rocking chairs, fans, and cold water.

For more information on National Breastfeeding Month, please visit https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html.

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