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.
![Study Finds There is No “Safe” Level of Drinking](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Drinking-Study.jpg)
Study Finds There is No “Safe” Level of Drinking
There is no such thing as a "safe" level of drinking, with increased consumption of alcohol associated with poorer brain health, according to a new study. In an observational study, researchers from the University of Oxford studied the relationship between the...
![Illinois Department of Public Health and the Discovery Partners Institute Announce Statewide System to Monitor COVID-19 in Wastewater](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
Illinois Department of Public Health and the Discovery Partners Institute Announce Statewide System to Monitor COVID-19 in Wastewater
Analysis will start with 10 counties before expanding to statewide by year-end SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) today announced a statewide system to monitor the virus that causes COVID-19 and its...
![Will County Residents Advised by WCHD to Maintain Status Quo for Now on Mask Wearing](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/New-Building-Plain-3-1080x675.jpg)
Will County Residents Advised by WCHD to Maintain Status Quo for Now on Mask Wearing
It was last week that the federal CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) adjusted their recommendations on mask wearing for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in non-health care settings. The CDC’s update also stated that employees and residents at...
![Online Referral System “IRIS” is Free and Available to Area Service Providers](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Facebook-and-Twitter-8-7a.png)
Online Referral System “IRIS” is Free and Available to Area Service Providers
Pre-pandemic, the All Our Kids (AOK) Early Childhood Network in Will County had piloted an online referral system for a dozen of our network service providers. Throughout 2020, and now into 2021, the Integrated Referral and Intake System, otherwise known as IRIS, has...
![Gov. Pritzker Confirms Illinois will Enter Bridge Phase of Reopening Plan on May 14th](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Gov-Visit-2020-15.jpg)
Gov. Pritzker Confirms Illinois will Enter Bridge Phase of Reopening Plan on May 14th
Illinois Providers Begin Administering COVID-19 Vaccine to Youth 12 Through 15 Years Old CHICAGO –Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed today the entire state will move into the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois reopening...
![Illinois Department of Public Health and the Discovery Partners Institute Announce Statewide System to Monitor COVID-19 in Wastewater](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
Vaccination Sites Across Illinois Ready to Administer Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine to Youths Ages 12 through 15
State mass vaccination sites, local health departments, and providers offering Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced vaccination locations across the state are prepared to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech...
![End of School Year Brings Reminder about Caution on Special Events](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WeWillWinLogo-e1615562859357.jpg)
End of School Year Brings Reminder about Caution on Special Events
JOLIET, IL – It was last summer, during the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic and several months prior to the vaccine rollout, that special end of school year events being organized independently by parents brought about some super-spreader Coronavirus activity....
![Illinois Department of Public Health Announces $235 Million Investment to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Middle and High Schools](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New.png)
Illinois Department of Public Health Announces $235 Million Investment to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Middle and High Schools
covidSHIELD testing available for use in schools to help get back to in-person learning SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure in-person learning can fully resume as quickly and safely as possible, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced a $235...
![Will County Health Department, MAPP, Community Organizations Part of Sat May 15th Vaccination Collaborative](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MAPP-color_logo_white_bkg.jpg)
Will County Health Department, MAPP, Community Organizations Part of Sat May 15th Vaccination Collaborative
JOLIET, IL – A special COVID-19 walk-in vaccination event is scheduled for 9 AM – 2 PM Saturday, May 15th, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 310 N. Broadway Street in Joliet. Parking available at 312 Hickory Street Joliet. Those wishing to reserve a timeslot may also...
![Will County Community Health Center Partners with Americans for Better Hearing Foundation](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/CHC-Letters-Flowers.jpg)
Will County Community Health Center Partners with Americans for Better Hearing Foundation
JOLIET, IL – The Will County Health Department and Community Health Center (WCCHC), along with the Americans for Better Hearing Foundation (ABHF), are pleased to announce a cooperative effort in opening the ABHF Hearing Health Clinic in the WCCHC at 1106 Neal Avenue...
![Lewis University Students Help Will County Health Department Vaccinate Residents with Special Needs](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Lewis-Project-1-1080x675.jpg)
Lewis University Students Help Will County Health Department Vaccinate Residents with Special Needs
JOLIET, IL – It goes without saying that the COVID-19 Pandemic we have all gone through over the last 14 months has brought about negative experiences, sometimes tragic, for so many who have been affected. But for hundreds of residents with special needs and their...
![Joliet Native Joins WCHD as Vaccine Equity Manager](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/V-Voss-4-1080x675.jpg)
Joliet Native Joins WCHD as Vaccine Equity Manager
JOLIET, IL – One of the biggest challenges over the last 15 months has been reaching those in our community that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the WCHD (Will County Health Department), this challenge has brought about the hiring...
![CHC Staff Talks about Importance of Telehealth During IPHCA’s Virtual State Advocacy Week](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Community-health-center-building.jpg)
CHC Staff Talks about Importance of Telehealth During IPHCA’s Virtual State Advocacy Week
During IPHCA's (Illinois Primary Health Care Association) Virtual State Advocacy Week, members of the Will County Health Department Community Health Center staff have been talking about the importance of Telehealth, the role it has played during the COVID-19 pandemic,...
![Will County Vaccinations Triple, 25.36% of Residents are Fully Vaccinated](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/W-WILL-LOGO-1080x675.png)
Will County Vaccinations Triple, 25.36% of Residents are Fully Vaccinated
Will County moves to sixth most vaccinated county in the State JOLIET, IL – The Will County Executive and Will County Health Department (WCHD) today announced that in the past six weeks, Will County has tripled the number of fully vaccinated individuals from 7.10...
![Illinois Department of Public Health and the Discovery Partners Institute Announce Statewide System to Monitor COVID-19 in Wastewater](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IDPH-New-1.png)
Illinois Department of Public Health Announces College Vaccination Days to Encourage Students to Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations
Vaccinations available at state-supported mass vaccination sites for College and University Students Across Illinois SPRINGFIELD – With young people driving the increase in COVID-19 cases in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing...
![Will County Vaccinations Triple, 25.36% of Residents are Fully Vaccinated](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/W-WILL-LOGO-1080x675.png)
Will County Health Department follows CDC and FDA Guidelines to Pause Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
All Will County Mass Vaccination Clinics have and continue to use Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines April 13, 2021 – The Will County Health Department announced today they would follow federal and state health agencies recommendation to immediately pause the use of Johnson...
![STD AWARENESS WEEK: April 12-18](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/STD-21.png)
STD AWARENESS WEEK: April 12-18
https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-incidence-cost-2020.htm CDC released updated STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates as part of a special issue in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The new estimates provide the clearest picture to...
![All Will County Residents Over Age 16 Eligible for Vaccine as County Opens Scheduling Online April 12th](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/WWW-icon-3.31.2021-01-1080x675.png)
All Will County Residents Over Age 16 Eligible for Vaccine as County Opens Scheduling Online April 12th
Residents urged to schedule vaccine and practice COVID-19 safety as Will County COVID-19 cases rise in past two weeks JOLIET, IL - Will County Exective Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Will County Health Department (WCHD) Executive Director Sue Olenek announced today that...
![End of School Year Brings Reminder about Caution on Special Events](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WeWillWinLogo-e1615562859357.jpg)
Warm Weather is Here, and Extreme Caution is Still Needed When it Comes to Avoiding COVID-19
JOLIET, IL – The Will County Health Department (WCHD) is reminding everyone that although we are into warmer weather and the time of year everyone wants to have “spring and summer fun,” vigilance must be practiced as the battle continues against the Coronavirus...
![National Public Health Week: April 5th – April 11th](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NPHW_1080.jpg)
National Public Health Week: April 5th – April 11th
Help us keep the conversation going In the midst of the most challenging public health crisis of our lifetimes, it's more important than ever to celebrate public health. Help us continue to thank public health for all the hard work everyone's doing to keep our...