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.
![It’s Fireworks Safety Month: Be Careful During Holiday Weekend and at All Times](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Fireworks-Safety.jpg)
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](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Community-health-center-building.jpg)
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](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Som-in-States.jpg)
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](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Cog-Health.jpg)
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](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
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...
![WCHD Immunizations Says “Come In as Soon as You Can” and Be Ready for School](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WeWillWin_Logo_dark-background-1080x675.jpg)
WCHD Immunizations Says “Come In as Soon as You Can” and Be Ready for School
Lots of Immunization Needs Expected after 2020’s Coronavirus Effects JOLIET, IL - At the Will County Health Department (WCHD), the Family Health Services (FHS) Immunizations office is urging parents to MAKE THEIR CHILDREN’S APPOINTMENTS FOR NEEDED SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS...
![Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Lake County](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/culex-alt.jpg)
Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Lake County
Lake County, Ill. — A mosquito “pool” (batch of mosquitoes) sampled on June 16, 2021 in Lake Bluff, Illinois has tested positive for West Nile virus. This mosquito pool is the first confirmed indicator of West Nile virus presence in Lake County in 2021. “As we...
![Will County Health Department Advises: Go Forth from Pandemic with Good Habits, and Stay Informed](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WeWillWin_Logo_light-background-1-1080x675.jpg)
Will County Health Department Advises: Go Forth from Pandemic with Good Habits, and Stay Informed
Pandemic is Not Over, and Adjustments are Here to Say With the world becoming more active during this “Open Summer of 2021” following months of closure during the pandemic, there are two very major points WCHD (Will County Health Department) would like to make. The...
![First Illinois Mosquitoes Testing Positive For West Nile Virus Reported in Cook County](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Culex.jpg)
First Illinois Mosquitoes Testing Positive For West Nile Virus Reported in Cook County
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois for 2021. The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected a positive mosquito batch on June 9, 2021 from Skokie,...
![Second Will County Rabid Bat of Season Found in Peotone](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Bats-sky.jpg)
Second Will County Rabid Bat of Season Found in Peotone
A bat captured in Peotone is Will County's second confirmed rabid bat of 2021. This bat was found in a residence in the 400 block of South Third Street. The bat was found in the main level bathroom, and no other bats were found in the rest of the home. All other...
![Will County Board of Health COVID-19 Response Committee Meeting Scheduled for June 23rd Cancelled](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PUBLIC-NOTICE-6-23-cancel-2-667x675.png)
Will County Board of Health COVID-19 Response Committee Meeting Scheduled for June 23rd Cancelled
The Will County Board of Health COVID-19 Response Committee meeting scheduled for June 23rd has been cancelled.
![National Men’s Health Week: June 14th through June 20th (Father’s Day)](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Mens-Health-21.jpg)
National Men’s Health Week: June 14th through June 20th (Father’s Day)
National Men’s Health Week starts June 14 and is observed each year leading up to Father’s Day. This week is a reminder for men to take steps to be healthier, but they don’t have to do it alone! Whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can...
![State of Illinois Moves to Phase 5 of COVID-19 Recovery on Friday](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WeWillWin_Logo_dark-background-SMALLER.jpg)
State of Illinois Moves to Phase 5 of COVID-19 Recovery on Friday
The WCHD (Will County Health Department) is reminding residents that by order of Governor J.B. Pritzker, the State of Illinois will move into Phase 5 of recovery from the COVID-19 virus tomorrow (Friday, June 11, 2021). This transition from the Bridge Phase to Phase 5...
![Illinois Department of Public Health Expands COVID-19 Testing to Elementary Schools](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IDPH-School-testing.jpg)
Illinois Department of Public Health Expands COVID-19 Testing to Elementary Schools
Testing currently available for middle schools, high schools, and community colleges 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 no-cost and...
![Veggies and Fruits Increase Provides More Nutritional Access to WIC Families](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/WIC-Illinois-1.jpg)
Veggies and Fruits Increase Provides More Nutritional Access to WIC Families
Will County Health Department WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program Coordinator Pat Krause wants county residents to be aware of increased WIC benefits that are available for program participants during the summer months. “We are proud that Illinois chose to...
![Gov. Pritzker Issues Guidelines for Illinois Reopening on June 11](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Governor-Logo.png)
Gov. Pritzker Issues Guidelines for Illinois Reopening on June 11
With Continued Progress on Vaccination Rates, All Businesses and Industries to Fully Reopen as State Concludes Restore Illinois Plan Outdoor Mask Requirement to be Lifted in Schools Following CDC Guidance SPRINGFIELD – Following weeks of steady decreases in new...
![Should Mental Health Month, 2021 be a Major Turning Point for the Future?](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/May-Mental-Health-Month-2021.png)
Should Mental Health Month, 2021 be a Major Turning Point for the Future?
JOLIET, IL – Mental Health Month, which takes place each May, has been around since the 1940s. As we head toward the conclusion of this year’s edition, the question might be: Could this possibly be the most pivotal Mental Health Month we have ever had? That question,...
![Smoked Fish Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fish-Recall-6-21-1020x675.png)
Smoked Fish Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard
June 3, 2021 - The Kane County Health Department is advising that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Banner Smoked Fish, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY is voluntarily recalling its smoked fish of all products within expiry, in all package sizes, all...
![Seafood Mushroom Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Package-1-Mushroom-recall-1020x675.jpg)
Seafood Mushroom Recall Due to Potential Health Hazard
June 2, 2021 - The Kane County Health Department is advising that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Sun Hong, Inc. of Montebello, California is recalling all cases of Seafood Mushroom (Product of China) net wt. 5.3 oz./150g because it has...
![Monday May 31st: World No Tobacco Day](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tobacco-free-logo-2020-1004x675.png)
Monday May 31st: World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day is celebrated around the world every year on May 31. This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around...