Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting Briefs

Sunny Hill Nursing Home Tour Praised: Committee members who attended the May 9 tour of Sunny Hill Nursing Home praised the facility’s condition and operations. Member Raquel Mitchell called it “the best nursing home I have ever been in” and encouraged other members to schedule tours. The facility celebrated National Nursing Home Week and Mother’s Day with multiple events for residents.

Recovery Center Opens: The Recovery Community Center of Joliet held its grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 5 from 3-5 p.m. The center provides free haircut programs and partners with the health department for on-site HIV testing.

Environmental Health Certification: The Will County Health Department’s Environmental Health Laboratory passed its microbiology certification with the Illinois Department of Public Health with no deviations. The lab’s certification officer commended staff for their “dedication to excellence” and quality control procedures.

FOIA Requests Surge: The Environmental Health Division processed 131 Freedom of Information Act requests in April 2025, the largest monthly total ever recorded. Most requests related to well and septic system locations for property owners planning pools, decks, or other permanent structures.

Greater Than AIDS Day: The health department will partner with Walgreens on Cass Street for Greater Than AIDS Day on June 27, offering free rapid HIV testing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

IT Infrastructure Updates: The health department completed low-voltage cabling installation for the Northern Branch Office expansion and is preparing to install switches, servers, and phones. AT&T installation is pending for full operational capability by mid-to-late June.