NEWS & EVENTS
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT & COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Public Announcements
Did you find a dead bird on your property?
If you find a dead bird on your property, call our Environmental Health Division’s West Nile Surveillance Hotline at 815-740-7631 to determine if the bird can be sent for testing.
Second Confirmed Case of Measles in Will County
The Will County Health Department has confirmed an additional positive case of measles in Will County. The Will County Health Department’s Communicable Disease staff is working to collect additional details to identify and notify people that may have been exposed to measles, provide education, and recommend appropriate measures. Additionally, the WCHD is in close contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as the active investigation continues.
Will County Health Department Announces Positive Case Of Measles In Will County
The Will County Health Department’s Communicable Disease staff is working to collect additional details to identify and notify people that may have been exposed to measles, provide education, and recommend appropriate measures. Additionally, the Will County Health Department is in close contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as the investigation continues. Case investigation has determined this case is related to the ongoing situation in the City of Chicago.
Learn about the WCHD’s Medical Reserve Corps
The Will County Health Department’s Medical Reserve Corps is actively recruiting new members. View the video above to learn more about the Medical Reserve Corps.
West Nile Virus Detected in Will County
The Will County Health Department’s Environmental Health division announced that mosquitoes collected in Joliet have tested positive for West Nile virus. (Link to Story).
Keep Cool During Extreme Heat
With an upcoming stretch of high temperatures expected in Illinois, the Will County Emergency Management Agency is advising residents of measures they can take during severe heat conditions to stay safe and healthy. These measures include being mindful of heat-related illnesses and being aware of the availability of local cooling centers.
TB Testing Now available at WCHD Branch Offices
The Will County Health Department and Will County’s Sunny Hill Tuberculosis Clinic have announced a new collaboration to expand Tuberculosis (TB) testing availability to Will County residents. The expanded testing services are now available at the Will County Health Department’s branch offices in Monee and Bolingbrook, along with the existing Joliet location at the Will County Health Department’s main office.
Have You Tested Your Well Water?
Even if you’ve never gotten sick from your well water, it is your responsibility to properly maintain your well and regularly test it to ensure you have safe drinking water. See the Fact Sheet on well testing from the IDPH.
Our Environmental Health Lab can test for bacteria and nitrate well also testing chlorine, fluoride and hardness.
Learn more about our EH Lab here.
Community Health Center earns The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval
The Will County Community Health Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Primary Care Medical Home, Ambulatory Health Care and Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards
Community Health Center Celebrates New Behavioral Health Suite Grand Opening
The Will County Health Department and Community Health Center kicked off national Behavioral Health Awareness Month by hosting a grand opening event for a new behavioral health suite at the Will County Community Health Center (WCCHC) in Joliet on May 1.
Become a Health Hero with the Medical Reserve Corps!
You can become a Community Health Hero by joining the Will County Health Department’s Medical Reserve Corps. View the video above to learn more.
What to do After a Flood
Has your home experienced flooding recently? The Illinois Department of Public Health's "After the Flood" brochure helps flood victims protect themselves against diseases and other hazards in the days and weeks following a flood.
![Illinois Department of Public Health Expands Free COVID-19 Testing to All K-12 Public Schools in Illinois](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
Illinois Department of Public Health Expands Free COVID-19 Testing to All K-12 Public Schools in Illinois
Testing can help keep kids in school for in-person learning SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure schools can more safely resume in-person learning, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced it is expanding access to free COVID-19 testing to all K-12...
![Illinois Department of Public Health Expands Free COVID-19 Testing to All K-12 Public Schools in Illinois](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
With Cases on the Rise, Illinois Launches Site to Share Vaccination Data in Long-Term Care Facilities
SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure transparency, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that COVID-19 vaccination data for both residents and staff in long-term care (LTC) facilities is now available on the IDPH website at...
![Second and Third WNV-Positive Mosquito Batches in Will County Found in Bolingbrook](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/culex-alt.jpg)
Second and Third WNV-Positive Mosquito Batches in Will County Found in Bolingbrook
The second and third West Nile Virus - Positive mosquito samples of the season from Will County were confirmed on Friday, July 30th; after being collected from two separate Will County Health Department mosquito traps in Bolingbrook (two of 14 traps WCHD has in...
![Update – COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in Schools](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WeWillWin_Logo_light-background-SMALL-1.jpg)
Update – COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in Schools
universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools and daycare facilities, regardless of the vaccination status, is recommended July 29, 2021 The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has fully adopted updated Centers for...
![WCHD Aligns with CDC and IDPH Indoor Masking Recommendations for All Due to Substantial Transmission](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WeWillWin_Logo_dark-background-SMALLER.jpg)
WCHD Aligns with CDC and IDPH Indoor Masking Recommendations for All Due to Substantial Transmission
JOLIET, IL – The Will County Health Department (WCHD) is reminding all Will County residents to be wearing masks indoors in public settings due to Will County being designated as a COVID-19 substantial transmission county by the Centers for Disease Control and...
![Illinois Department of Public Health Expands Free COVID-19 Testing to All K-12 Public Schools in Illinois](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
Illinois has fully Adopted the CDC Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
This applies to Phase 5 in all Illinois businesses, venues, and public spaces The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends the following based on the CDC Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People: Instruction for fully vaccinated people...
![Illinois Department of Public Health Expands Free COVID-19 Testing to All K-12 Public Schools in Illinois](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
Illinois Fully Aligns with New CDC Masking Recommendations
Delta variant spreading twice as easily from person to person as previous strains making vaccinations even more important SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today it is fully adopting updated Centers for Disease Control and...
![First West Nile Virus – Positive Mosquito Batch of Season in Will County](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Culex.jpg)
First West Nile Virus – Positive Mosquito Batch of Season in Will County
The first West Nile Virus - Positive mosquito sample of the season from Will County was confirmed during Monday, July 26 testing, after being collected from a Will County Health Department mosquito trap in Homer Glen (one of 14 traps WCHD has in various Will County...
![WCHD Aligns with CDC and IDPH Indoor Masking Recommendations for All Due to Substantial Transmission](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WeWillWin_Logo_dark-background-SMALLER.jpg)
Will County Officials Encourage Residents to Continue COVID-19 Precautions, Number of Positive Cases in the County are On the Rise
WILL COUNTY – While nearly half the population of Will County is fully vaccinated, local officials are cautioning residents to continue COVID-19 precautions as the number of Delta variant cases are increasing. These precautions include frequent hand washing,...
![Update – COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in Schools](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WeWillWin_Logo_light-background-SMALL-1.jpg)
COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in Schools
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) fully adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten (K)-12 Schools on July 9,2021. IDPH Press Release...
![Illinois Department of Public Health Expands Free COVID-19 Testing to All K-12 Public Schools in Illinois](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
Illinois Department of Public Health Adopts CDC COVID-19 Prevention School Guidance
Guidance emphasizes the COVID-19 prevention strategies most important for in-person learning SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is fully adopting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance for COVID-19...
![WCHD Cites Incredible Volunteer Turnout as Major Reason for Success Fighting Pandemic](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Volunteers-luncheon-1080x675.jpg)
WCHD Cites Incredible Volunteer Turnout as Major Reason for Success Fighting Pandemic
Nursing Student and Volunteer Hours Have Totaled over 12,500 JOLIET, IL – The challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about an amazing opportunity for volunteers to assist the WCHD (Will County Health Department), especially when the vaccine rollout began last...
![Sunny Crunchy Salad Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Bright-Farms.png)
Sunny Crunchy Salad Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard
July 16, 2021 - The Kane County Health Department is advising that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate...
![Will County Health Department Opens Grant Opportunities to Local Agencies to Conduct Vaccination Outreach](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WeWillWin_Logo_light-background-SMALL.jpg)
Will County Health Department Opens Grant Opportunities to Local Agencies to Conduct Vaccination Outreach
Applications available now through July 19th for up to $15,000 JOLIET, IL – The Will County Health Department (WCHD) have opened online applications to fund local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to partner with the WCHD to conduct vaccination outreach and pop-up...
![First West Nile Virus – Positive Mosquito Batch of Season in Will County](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Culex.jpg)
Getting Closer to Will County: First Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in DuPage County
DuPage County— The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has confirmed the first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this year in DuPage County. The first positive pool of mosquitoes was collected on June 30, 2021, in Clarendon Hills, and the second...
![Food Recall Alert: Tyson Chicken Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Kane-logo-2.png)
Food Recall Alert: Tyson Chicken Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard
July 6, 2021 - The Kane County Health Department is advising that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that Tyson Foods Inc., a Dexter, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,492,832 pounds of ready-to-eat...
![Looking Ahead: Upcoming Flu Season Could Be Very Challenging](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Flu-warning-21.jpg)
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Flu Season Could Be Very Challenging
Even as coronavirus was devastating populations around the world last year, doctors and public health officials noticed something else was missing – there was almost no flu. Many believe that measures taken to help control coronavirus also prevented the spread of...
![Why Experts Say Ticks are out of Control This Year](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Tic-caution.jpg)
Why Experts Say Ticks are out of Control This Year
Tom Mather, an entomologist at the University of Rhode Island and director of a tick awareness program called TickEncounter, said he’s seen an uptick in reports of American dog tick sightings and bites around the country this year. TickEncounter, which crowdsources...
![CDC: As Home Pools are More Plentiful, Focus on Safety](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Pool-Safety.jpg)
CDC: As Home Pools are More Plentiful, Focus on Safety
Residential in-ground pools now number about 5.1 million, and home above-ground pools are estimated at 3.5 million, according to the National Swimming Pool Institute. During the pandemic, many families added a backyard pool for at-home recreation and relaxation. The...
![For Outdoor Outings All Summer Long, Remember to BE CAUTIOUS WITH PICNIC FOOD](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Picnic-pic.jpg)
For Outdoor Outings All Summer Long, Remember to BE CAUTIOUS WITH PICNIC FOOD
Unlike last summer, this year there are many families and friends out and about for family fun. And that means food and picnics. But the excitement of the return of much of the fun does not mean we should turn our backs on safety when it comes to food preparation. ...