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.
![Senior Services of Will County Offering Assistance for Elderly with Health Department COVID Vaccine Registration Survey](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Updated-Senior-Help.png)
Senior Services of Will County Offering Assistance for Elderly with Health Department COVID Vaccine Registration Survey
The Will County Health Department (WCHD) and Senior Services of Will County have formed a partnership intended to assist senior residents of Will County with the COVID Vaccination Survey on WCHD’s website. Due to the fact that some senior residents have had some...
![Will County Health Department Asking for Patience from all Residents and Senior Community with COVID-19 Vaccinations](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Logo-1.png)
Will County Health Department Asking for Patience from all Residents and Senior Community with COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Will County Health Department (WCHD) is asking for patience from the senior community and their families during the still very young “Vaccine Stage” of the “Covid-19 Pandemic Response.” Shortly before Christmas, WCHD placed a survey on its website, allowing all...
![IDPH Releases Latest Update for State Vaccination Plan (Phase 1A Continues, Targeting Hospital Staffs and Medical Workers)](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IDPH-Logo-3.jpg)
IDPH Releases Latest Update for State Vaccination Plan (Phase 1A Continues, Targeting Hospital Staffs and Medical Workers)
IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) has released its latest version of the statewide plan for COVID-19 vaccination. IL COVID-19 Vaccination Plan V4.1 1.10.21 Click here for details on Phases of Mass Vaccination Plan
![Even More Important During a Pandemic- RADON ACTION MONTH (Jan 2021) Poster and Video Contests !!](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/RADON-ACTION-2021.jpg)
Even More Important During a Pandemic- RADON ACTION MONTH (Jan 2021) Poster and Video Contests !!
Are you spending more time at home? The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has sent many of us to our homes for work, education and leisure. During the height of the shutdown, 42% of the US work force was working from home. An additional 33% were unemployed. Schools...
![New COVID-19 Testing Site Available in Kankakee County](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Coronavirus-world.png)
New COVID-19 Testing Site Available in Kankakee County
COVID-19 testing is now available at Bridge Diagnostics, located at 525 E. North St in Bradley in Kankakee County. Testing is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and on Saturday from 8 AM to 12 Noon. There is no cost to those who are tested, but...
![Let Me Tell You how COVID-19 has Affected My Life – Rachel’s Story](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COVID-stories-RACHEL-FB-940x675.png)
Let Me Tell You how COVID-19 has Affected My Life – Rachel’s Story
My Real-Life Nightmare With COVID -Rachel’s Story My experience with COVID has been unlike any of my worst nightmares, because unlike a bad dream there was no waking up from this. It all started at the end of the summer (around mid-August/September) when I noticed...
![Will County Health Department Asking for Patience from all Residents and Senior Community with COVID-19 Vaccinations](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Logo-1.png)
Rapid COVID-19 Testing for any Organization with a Licensed Healthcare Professional on Staff is Widely Available
As we move into the vaccine era of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is very important to remember that full attention to testing as much as possible will remain important all the way to the finish line. One way to make this happen would be more organizations participating...
![Will County Health Department Asking for Patience from all Residents and Senior Community with COVID-19 Vaccinations](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Logo-1.png)
Will County Food Establishment Owners Receiving Break from County on Food Permit Late Fees after December 31, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much hardship for food establishment owners and operators. A revision to the WCHD’s (Will County Health Department) Food Ordinance, designed to offer assistance, has now been passed by both the Will County Board of Health and Will...
![Pandemic Just Part of “2020 Triple-Header” for WCHD WIC Department](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/New-Building-Plain-3-1080x675.jpg)
Pandemic Just Part of “2020 Triple-Header” for WCHD WIC Department
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) team working in the WCHD’s (Will County Health Department) Family Health Services Division has needed to continue their mission of educating soon-to-be moms, along with young mothers caring for...
![Let Me Tell You How COVID-19 has Affected my Life – Christina’s Story](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COVID-stories-CHRISTINA-FB-940x675.png)
Let Me Tell You How COVID-19 has Affected my Life – Christina’s Story
I have to explain this in events otherwise how could anyone possibly understand the severity of this deadly virus. • I was taken via ambulance and admitted in hours as the paramedic wouldn’t leave until he knew I was roomed, because that’s how sick I was. Those were...
![Let Me Tell You How COVID-19 has Affected My Life – Gloria’s Story](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/COVID-stories-GLORIA-FB-940x675.png)
Let Me Tell You How COVID-19 has Affected My Life – Gloria’s Story
I never thought I would get COVID, especially when we immediately started safety measures at work back in March, which was the week before I started feeling symptoms – plus I’m one who very rarely gets sick. It came so quickly too, and it was a roller coaster of...
![Let Me Tell You How Covid-19 has Affected my Life – Alyssa’s Story](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/COVID-stories-ALYSSA-FB-940x675.png)
Let Me Tell You How Covid-19 has Affected my Life – Alyssa’s Story
My fiancé and I were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March. As a young, healthy couple of 27 and 32 I would have never expected to become as ill as we did. Our illness lasted 2.5 months and we had to rely on friends to bring us supplies since we both live hours away from...
![Survey of Teen Noise Exposure at School](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Teen-Hearing.jpg)
Survey of Teen Noise Exposure at School
Schools can be noisy places with loud activities. One in every six to eight middle and high school students has measurable hearing loss likely resulting from excessive noise exposure. CDC analyzed data from a sample of 817 middle and high school students aged 12–17...
![Will County Community Health Center Dental Clinic Uses Grant for Some Major Advances](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Dental-Imp-8.jpg)
Will County Community Health Center Dental Clinic Uses Grant for Some Major Advances
The WCCHC (Will County Community Health Center) Dental Clinic, located at 1106 Neal Avenue in Joliet, has announced some special improvements through the help of an Oral Health Grant. While the changes include new patient chairs for three examination rooms, along with...
![IDPH Releases Latest Update for State Vaccination Plan (Phase 1A Continues, Targeting Hospital Staffs and Medical Workers)](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IDPH-Logo-3.jpg)
IDPH Announces Change in Quarantine Time for those Not Showing Symptoms
Quarantine Time Can be Over after Ten Days The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new options for public health authorities to consider for establishment quarantine time frames for those who have come in contact with a person with COVID-19....
![Dec 6-12 is National Influenza Vaccination Week](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Flu-Week-2020.png)
Dec 6-12 is National Influenza Vaccination Week
If you have to be out, help protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses. And if you have not received your flu shot, take advantage of National Influenza Vaccination Week to do so. Contact Will County Health Department Immunizations at 815-740-8143, or the...
![December 6-12 is Handwashing Awareness Week – 2020](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Wash-Hands.jpg)
December 6-12 is Handwashing Awareness Week – 2020
December 6-12, 2020 is National Handwashing Awareness Week. According to the CDC, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic! Many diseases and...
![How to Deal with Pandemic Fatigue](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Pandemic-Fatigue.jpg)
How to Deal with Pandemic Fatigue
Do you feel the exhaustion of almost a year’s worth of coronavirus commentary and speculation, on top of the feeling that we’re back to square one? You’re not alone, it is called “pandemic fatigue.” According to a survey by the World Health Organization, at least 60...
![Mental Disorders More Common After COVID-19 Diagnosis](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mental-Distress.jpg)
Mental Disorders More Common After COVID-19 Diagnosis
New research has found that nearly 1 person in 5 diagnosed with COVID-19 is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months. Compared with patients who had experienced certain other health events this year — such as...
![If You Traveled or Were With Company Outside Your Immediate Family for Thanksgiving, Please Consider COVID-19 Testing ASAP](https://willcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Logo-1.png)
If You Traveled or Were With Company Outside Your Immediate Family for Thanksgiving, Please Consider COVID-19 Testing ASAP
If you traveled for Thanksgiving or were in contact with anyone outside your immediate home, these next few days are very important, and testing for COVID-19 is recommended. The Will County Health Department hopes for everyone to stay healthy through all coming...