NEWS & EVENTS
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT & COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

WCHD Announces First Probable Case of Monkeypox in County
Today, Will County Health Department [WCHD] announces the first reported case of probable monkeypox infection in a resident of Will County. Confirmatory testing is pending at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CLOSED on Monday, July 4th
The Will County Health Department and the Community Health Center will be CLOSED on Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, July 5.

Will County Health Department To Hold Special COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic For Children 6 Months To 4 Years Of Age
Will County Health Department [WCHD] will hold a special COVID-19 vaccination clinic for children six months to four years old on Thursday, June 23 from 9AM to 6PM at its 501 Ella Avenue, Joliet, location.

Will County Board Of Health Meeting June 15, 2022
Due to the sharp reduction in COVID-19 positive cases in Will County, the movement from substantial community transmission to low community transmission, the increase in icu bed availability, and the lifting of the mask mandate by governor Pritzker, the board of health president has determined that meeting in person is both practical and prudent for all meetings of the Will County Board of Health effective march 11, 2022.

As Second Bat in Will County Tests Positive for Rabies, WCHD Cautions Public
As summer begins and people begin to enjoy the outdoors more, Will County Health Department wants to remind everyone about the potential for rabies exposure.

First Mosquitoes In Will County Testing Positive For West Nile Virus Reported In Mokena
The Will County Health Department’s Environmental Health division announced that mosquitoes trapped in Mokena on May 17, 2022, tested positive for West Nile virus [WNV].

CLOSED on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day
The Will County Health Department and the Community Health Center will be CLOSED on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 31. Please remember, honor and never forget the brave men and women who fought for our country.

Will County’s COVID-19 Community Level Moves to RED
As of Friday, May 27, 2022, Will County is one of 15 Illinois Counties now Rated at High Community Level for COVID-19
Public Health Officials Stress the Importance of Being Updated on Vaccinations and Boosters; Vulnerable People Should Exercise Caution in Indoor Spaces.

It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate!
It’s not too late to vaccinate. Will-Grundy Medical Clinic in conjunction with the Spanish Community Center and Will County Health Department is offering four opportunities throughout June for anyone age 5 and up to get either a COVID-19 vaccination or a booster for free.

Board of Health Agenda May 18, 2022
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT The Will County Board of Health meeting will be held in person at:501 ELLA AVENUEJOLIET, IL 60433 CONFERENCE ROOM 1005A / 1005B Due to the sharp reduction in COVID-19 positive cases in Will County, the movement from substantial community...

Will County’s COVID-19 Community Level Moves to Yellow
Local health departments belonging to the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC) are advising people who live and work in the region that COVID-19 case rates are rising and now is the time to work together to avoid a surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Will County Community Health Center Governing Council
The Will County Community Health Center Governing Council meetings will be will be held via TELECONFERENCE on Wednesday, May 4th.

Will County Board of Health Meeting April 20, 2022
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Due to the sharp reduction in COVID-19 positive cases in Will County, the movement from substantial community transmission to low community transmission, the increase in ICU bed availability, and the lifting of the mask mandate by...

Area Organizations Bring Vital Resources to the Community
On February 26, the Will County Health Department working with a number of local organizations brought COVID-19 vaccinations, health testing and screenings, gift cards, employment services, mental health and substance use resources, hygiene products, hot meals and food boxes, and much more to Will County residents in need.

Will County Board of Health Meeting March 16, 2022
Due to the sharp reduction in COVID-19 positive cases in Will County, the movement from substantial community transmission to low community transmission, the increase in ICU bed availability, and the lifting of the mask mandate by Governor Pritzker, the Board of Health President has determined that meeting in person is both practical and prudent for all meetings of the will county board of health effective march 11, 2022.

WCHD’s Medical Reserve Corps Donate Over 10,000 Volunteer Hours During COVID-19
By the end February, Will County Health Department’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers had donated 10,040 hours valued at $379,074.00 during the COVID-19 response mission (and counting). During the pandemic, staffing at most organizations proved difficult. The dedication of the WCHD MRC volunteers made scheduling over 200 on-site clinics and over 60 off-site clinics significantly more manageable.

Ongoing Community Survey Gives Residents Voice in Identifying Community Needs for Programs
Will County residents are urged to complete the 2022 Will County Community Survey so that the county’s public health system can better understand the needs of the community and can develop plans to address those needs. Previous surveys have brought about many important programs to the people of Will County.

Mask Wearing in Schools Still Recommended
Aware of the most recent judicial rulings regarding schools and their practices with respect to COVID-19 mitigation strategies, Will County Health Department [WCHD] wants to reaffirm its recommendation that schools follow the most recent Illinois Department of Public Health [IDPH] school guidance concerning masking, testing, quarantine and isolation.

Will County Board of Health Meeting February 16, 2022
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor’s recent disaster proclamation, the number of COVID-19 cases in will county, and the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, it is determined by the president of the Will County Board of Health that in-person meetings are not practical nor prudent.

6th Annual WCHD State of the Agency Address
On Friday, January 21, Susan Olenek, Executive Director of the Will County Health Department [WCHD], gave her annual State of the Agency address. Director Olenek praised the department for its work during the pandemic. Even with staffing short-ages and the challenges COVID-19 creates, WCHD and the Community Health Center [CHC] maintained their 38 programs and continued to serve the people of Will County.