Illinois has made progress in reducing infant deaths, but the improvement has not reached all families equally. State data show that the Illinois infant mortality rate fell from 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 5.6 in 2021, offering evidence that prevention and improvements in maternal and infant health can make a difference. Yet the same data show a persistent racial divide: Black infants in Illinois continue to die at substantially higher rates than White, Hispanic and Asian infants.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported the decline in September 2024, noting that the 2021 statewide rate was slightly above the national rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2021, Illinois recorded 743 infant deaths among more than 132,000 live births. IDPH also identified prematurity and fetal malnutrition, birth defects, sudden unexpected infant death and pregnancy and delivery complications among the leading causes of infant death in the state. Together, those causes accounted for nearly 70% of infant deaths. More recent national data continue to show why the progress needs to be examined beyond the statewide average. The CDC reported an Illinois infant mortality rate of 5.73 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024. Nationally, the infant mortality rate was 5.52 in 2024 and was not significantly different from the 2023 rate.

The racial disparity is especially pronounced for Black families. According to IDPH, from 2012 through 2021, the infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black infants in Illinois was consistently two to four times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic White, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander infants. The state’s 2024 report also estimated that Black infants had a mortality rate nearly three times that of infants born to White, Hispanic and Asian women. Data from the March of Dimes provide another view of the disparity. Its 2024 Illinois report found that the state’s infant mortality rate was 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, while the rate for babies born to Black birthing people was 12.2 per 1,000. The rate was 3.8 among White infants, 5.3 among Hispanic infants and 3.5 among Asian infants.

These differences cannot be explained simply by individual behavior or biology. Infant health is influenced by the health of the mother before and during pregnancy, the quality and timing of prenatal care, access to specialists and hospitals, socioeconomic conditions, neighborhood resources and the availability of care after delivery. Access to care is particularly important. A 2025 study examining Medicaid populations found that states with a high prevalence of maternity care deserts also had lower rates of timely prenatal and postpartum care and higher risks of infant mortality and low birth weight. Researchers found that states with high levels of maternity care deserts had an 18.34% greater risk of infant mortality compared with states with lower prevalence.

For families living in communities where maternity services, pediatric providers or other health resources are difficult to reach, having insurance does not necessarily mean having timely access to care. Transportation, provider availability, appointment delays, geographic distance, cost and the ability to navigate the health system can all affect whether a parent receives care when it is needed. Illinois’ own data also show why Medicaid populations deserve particular attention. A 2026 Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services perinatal report found that, among Medicaid-covered births, Black infant mortality increased from 0.84% in 2020 to 1.05% in 2023, while the rate for White infants decreased from 0.50% to 0.42%. The report described the disparities as persistent and noted that the state average remained close to the national rate.

From Better Numbers to Better Access

Reducing infant mortality requires more than lowering a statewide statistic. The goal is to ensure that families can access high-quality care before pregnancy, throughout pregnancy, during delivery and after a baby comes home. That means identifying where gaps exist and connecting families with understandable, culturally responsive health information and trusted care providers. It also means paying attention to conditions that can affect a baby’s health before birth, including maternal health, pregnancy complications and preterm birth, while ensuring that parents have opportunities to ask questions and make informed decisions about their family’s care.

The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) approaches these challenges through a health-access framework that combines data, research, education, community engagement and efforts to improve access to care. NMQF’s work spans women’s health, maternal equity, immunization, chronic disease and other areas where disparities can contribute to preventable illness and death. Its health-access resources are designed to help communities and health care organizations translate information into action.

For expecting parents and families with young children, NMQF’s current Protect From Day One initiative also emphasizes the importance of having health conversations before a baby arrives. The campaign provides resources to help families prepare for conversations with health care providers about RSV and infant protection, including a Before-Baby RSV Guide and a Provider Conversation Checklist. NMQF’s HerHealth Hub provides another resource focused on women of color navigating maternal and reproductive health challenges. The initiative grew from conversations with Black mothers about their experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery and access to quality care.

Illinois’ decline in infant mortality is an important sign of progress, but the racial gap makes clear that the work is far from finished. A healthier future for Illinois babies will depend not only on continuing to reduce the overall number of infant deaths, but also on making sure that the families facing the greatest barriers can reach quality care, receive information they can understand and trust, and have their health needs recognized throughout the pregnancy and postpartum journey. The measure of progress will ultimately be whether every baby, regardless of race, ZIP code or family income, has a fair opportunity to reach a healthy first birthday.