WC Health & Safety
Will County Poised to Launch Major Mental Health Initiative Based on Joliet Program’s Success
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday considered establishing “Will County CARES,” a county-wide, cost-free mental health program modeled after a successful Joliet Fire Department initiative that has reduced local suicide rates by 50% over two years. While…
Read MoreWill County Sees 50% Drop in Opioid Deaths, But Alarming Rise in Suicides
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is experiencing a dramatic 50% reduction in opioid overdose deaths compared to last year, a success officials attribute to proactive naloxone distribution and community programs. However, Coroner Laurie Summers reported a simultaneous and “condensing” increase in suicides, with rates on…
Read MoreSheriff’s Office Reports Crime Down 10%, Cites Body Cam Footage as Main Challenge of Safety Act
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff’s Office reported a nearly 10% overall drop in crime compared to the same period last year, though proactive enforcement has led to a 700% increase in child pornography cases. An official told a county committee that the biggest…
Read MoreWill County Animal Protection Services Seeks New Facility Amid “Gaping Wound” of Space Crisis
Article Summary: Will County Animal Protection Services is seeking approval for a new facility, telling a county committee that its current building is critically inadequate for housing animals, leading to severe operational challenges and the suspension of its public adoption program. Administrator Anna Payton described the situation as a “gaping wound” that stop-gap measures can…
Read MoreHealth Department Seeks $1 Million Levy Increase to Prevent “Weakened System”
Article Summary: The Will County Health Department is asking for a $1 million increase to its property tax levy to save 11 critical jobs that are at risk as post-pandemic federal grants expire. Officials warned that without the funding, core programs for maternal health, immunizations, and communicable disease control will be severely curtailed, returning the…
Read MoreWill County Reports Progress in Opioid Fight, Highlights New FDA Labeling Rules
Article Summary: Will County is seeing a reduction in opioid overdose deaths and is expanding access to the reversal drug Narcan, health officials reported. The department also drew attention to new FDA rules that will require opioid pain medication labels to include clearer warnings about addiction, overdose, and safe usage. Will County Public Health &…
Read MoreHealth Department May Seek Property Tax Increase to Maintain Critical Services
The Will County Health Department is grappling with significant budget shortfalls as multiple federal grants have been terminated or reduced, potentially forcing the agency to seek additional property tax revenue to maintain essential public health services. Elizabeth Bilotta, Executive Director of the Will County Health Department, told the Public Health & Safety Committee Wednesday that…
Read MoreHealth Department Opens Second Breast Milk Depot in Bolingbrook
The Will County Health Department has opened its second breast milk depot in partnership with Mother’s Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, expanding access to donated breast milk for families in need. The new depot at the department’s Northern Branch Office in Bolingbrook held its grand opening June 13th, with the first donor contributing…
Read MoreHealth Department Plans Back-to-School Fair July 12
The Will County Health Department will host a Back-to-School Health Fair Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Health Center, 1106 Neal Ave., Joliet. The event will provide school and sports physicals for $35 for uninsured families, dental school exams for $50, and various immunizations. Most insurance plans, including Medicaid,…
Read MoreWill County Public Health & Safety Committee July 3 Meeting Briefs
Grain Dust Complaint Prompts Investigation: Will County resident Tracy Henning of unincorporated Peotone addressed the committee about health problems she attributes to grain dust from a neighboring facility. Henning, who has been diagnosed with lupus and toxic grain dust syndrome, reports debilitating symptoms when dust fallout occurs from the facility located 6-8 feet from her…
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