NEWS & EVENTS
WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT & COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
Public Announcements
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).
2025-26 COVID-19 Vaccine Available
The Will County Health Department (WCHD) is informing residents that the new 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine is available at the Will County Health Department Immunization Clinic and at the Will County Community Health Center.
Will County Warming Centers
With temperatures dropping and sub-zero wind chills being forecasted, here is a link to Will County's warming centers provided by local governments for those having issues with properly heating their homes.
ByHeart Infant Formula Product Recall
ByHeart Infant Formula has issued a nationwide recall during an ongoing investigation by the FDA and CDC of a multistate outbreak of infant botulism.
Read the Latest Environmental Health Newsletter
Read the 2025 Fourth quarter newsletter from the Will County Health Department Environmental Health Division
WCHD To Open New Milk Depot in Bolingbrook
Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes and the Will County Health Department have partnered to bring a new human milk drop-off depot to Bolingbrook, Illinois at the Will County Health Department's Northern Branch Office (323 Quadrangle Drive). The grand opening will be on June 13, 2025.
WCHD Adds 10 Additional Red Naloxone Distribution Boxes
The Will County Health Department continues its efforts to reduce opioid overdose deaths, making access to the life-saving, overdose-reversing drug Naloxone (Narcan) easier by adding 10 additional red Naloxone distribution boxes throughout the County, bringing the total number of red distribution boxes in Will County to 20.
Will County Health Department Announces New Breastfeeding Support Group Starting In August
The Will County Health Department has announced the creation of a new breastfeeding support group, called the Milk Circle. The Milk Circle will meet twice a month on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The group will hold a separate kick-off meeting on August 5, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon, before hosting its first meeting on August 19, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Infectious Disease Clinic is Latest Service at Community Health Center
The Will County Community Health Center has added an Infectious Disease (ID) Clinic to its list of medical services available to the public. The ID Clinic has partnered with the Care Clinic and specializes in the treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV care while also offering general infectious disease consultations.
WCHD Expands Behavioral Health Services at Branch Offices
The Will County Health Department (WCHD) is in the process of expanding mental health services at both its Northern Branch Office in Bolingbrook and Eastern Branch Office in Monee
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.
Press Releases
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
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...
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
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...
State of Illinois Receives $124 Million from Federal Government to Expand COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
Additional funding will build on state’s equity focus and help reach underserved communities SPRINGFIELD – The State of Illinois will receive an additional $124 million in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to further expand its robust...
Will County Health Department Moves into Phase 1B-Plus
JOLIET, IL – The Will County Health Department has moved into Phase 1B-Plus for COVID-19 vaccinations. This means that between now and April 12th, when the entire state of Illinois enters the All-Eligible Phase for vaccination as called for by Governor Pritzker, more...
Will County Health Department Holds Special Needs Vaccine Clinic
JOLIET, IL - Will County Health Department held a Special Needs Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, March 27th at the St. Charles Center at Lewis University, where 600 special needs individuals 16 and older and their caregivers received their vaccine in a caring and nurturing...
County Announces Pair of Community Vaccination Clinics
WILL SERVE RESIDENTS AGE 65+, FIRST RESPONDERS, TEACHERS AND MORE IN WILMINGTON AND MONEE TO WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19 JOLIET – The Will County Executive Office and Will County Health Department today announced another milestone in beating the COVID-19...
With Vaccine Allocations Increasing, Illinois Launches Call Center to Bridge Digital Divide and Assist with Vaccine Appointments
Vaccine Appointment Call Center open 7 days a week at 833-621-1284 SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today launched the Vaccine Appointment Call Center to assist people who do not have access to or who have difficulty navigating online...
Hear Her: CDC’s Maternal Mortality Awareness Campaign
CDC is pleased to announce that Allyson Felix, a U.S. Olympian, has joined the Hear Her campaign to share her story and raise awareness about urgent warning signs that could indicate life-threatening complications during and in the year after pregnancy. About 700...
March is Kidney Health Awareness Month
One in three American adults are at risk for kidney disease. Kidney disease is known as the "silent epidemic" because if often shows no signs until it is more advanced. High blood pressure and diabetes are two leading causes of kidney disease. Other risk factors...
IDPH Link Shows Numbers of COVID-19 Vaccinations Given in Each Illinois County
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) now has a link available showing updated COVID vaccine information for all Illinois counties. The numbers include the amount of doses given, along with the amount of individuals who have received two doses and are fully...
Will County Community Health Center Welcomes New Provider at Eastern Branch Location in Monee
Primary Health Care Provider Mr. Richard Yenkong, MSN APN FNP-BC, has joined the staff of the Eastern Branch Office of the Will County CHC (Community Health Center) in Monee. Mr. Yenkong has an interesting and varied background, which the CHC believes will contribute...
CDC Issues First Set of Guidelines on How Fully Vaccinated People Can Visit Safely with Others
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its first set of recommendations on activities that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely resume. The new guidance—which is based on the latest science — includes recommendations...
Will County Executive Bertino-Tarrant Encourages Residents to Seek Help for Mental Health Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic
WILL COUNTY - The impact of the pandemic on social determinants of health, such as employment, income levels, and housing and food security has led to a growing concern regarding the long-term impact on mental health. These factors are also leading to new barriers for...
Let Me Tell You How COVID-19 has Affected My Life – Shannon’s Story
“I was not someone who was super concerned about getting very sick with Covid. I assumed it would feel like the flu for a few days and then I would recover. After all, I was someone who exercised and ate healthy every day, with no underlying health issues, and was...
Will County Health Department Disappointed about Mix of Good and Bad Vaccine News from State
For the past several weeks the Will County Health Department (WCHD) has been asking the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for more information about COVID-19 vaccine supplies that are on their way. Ever since the first vaccine delivery in December, arrivals...
First Case of B.1.351 COVID-19 Variant in Illinois
Continued mask wearing and vaccination are essential SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant B.1.351, which was first identified in South Africa. The Centers for Disease...
Gov. Pritzker Announces Expansion of Phase 1B Eligibility on February 25th
Phase 1B Eligibility Will Expand to Individuals With Comorbidities and Underlying Conditions; Will Prioritize Those with Disabilities QUINCY — In light of a steadily increasing federal vaccine supply, Illinois is making plans to expand Phase 1B eligibility on February...
Region 7 Moves to Phase 4
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced Region 7, Kankakee and Will counties, is moving to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan effective today. Additional information about which tier and phase regions are in can be found at the...