NEWS & EVENTS
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT & COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Public Announcements
Health Alert for Possible E. coli in Ground Beef
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
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.
Community Health Center’s Blood Pressure Program Earns Honors
The Will County Community Health Center’s blood pressure monitoring program has been honored for Excellence in Transforming Patient Outcomes from CAREMINDr.
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.
WCHD to Host Annual Career Fair on April 30, 2024
The Will County Health Department and the County of Will are hosting a joint career fair from 2:30-6:30 pm on April 30th at the Will County Health Department in Joliet (501 Ella Ave.). Career opportunities are available at both the Will County Health Department and The County of Will.
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.
CHC Tree Dedication Ceremony
As part of National Health Center Week, the Will County Community Health Center held a tree dedication ceremony on August 11 to celebrate Dr. Daniel Gutierrez’s 57-years in medicine and his service to the Will County Health Department and Community Health Center.
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 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
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...
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,...
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 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
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
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
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...
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
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
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
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
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
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. ...
It’s Fireworks Safety Month: Be Careful During Holiday Weekend and at All Times
July is Fireworks Safety Month! According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 9,100 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries in 2018. Here are nine fireworks safety tips (with infographics) including watching...
Free School and Sports Physicals Offered with COVID-19 Vaccine at Will County Community Health Center Joliet Location
Parents Urged to Schedule Physicals Now JOLIET, IL – The Will County Community Health Center (WCCHC) has announced that they are offering free same day school and sports physicals with a COVID-19 Vaccination for children age 12 and up at their Joliet office, 1106 Neal...
CDC Investigating Salmonella Illnesses in Several States, Caution Advised
CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to contact with backyard poultry. A total of 474 sick people have been reported from 46 states, with 103 people hospitalized and one death reported...
Improve Cognitive Health During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time when people around the nation are having conversations about their own cognitive health. To identify specific ways to take action, public health professionals can look to the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) — a...
Public Health Officials Announce More Than 80 COVID-19 Cases Now Associated with Downstate Youth Camp Outbreak
Secondary outbreak now connected with previously reported youth camp outbreak in central Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is now reporting 85 teens and adult staff at a summer youth camp held in mid-June in central Illinois tested...