NEWS & EVENTS
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT & COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Public Announcements
Mosquitoes Positive For West Nile Virus
The Will County Health Department’s Environmental Health division announced that mosquitoes collected in Mokena have tested positive for West Nile virus.
Will County Health Department Releases 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment and IPLAN
The Will County Health Department and the Will County Mobilizing for Action Through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) Collaborative are excited to share two important new reports: the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and the Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Needs (IPLAN).
Press Releases
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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...
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
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
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
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
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...
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
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
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
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
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
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...








