[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6204014,"mediaKeyId","3780818-8b74a1d540e5611dec7bfec1b54d36e6","parentId",3780818,"title","Will County health department warns of grant cuts and reports rising STI numbers; schedules testing events","audioSeconds",522,"startMs",3343000,"endMs",3865000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3780818-8b74a1d540e5611dec7bfec1b54d36e6&start=3343&end=3865","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3780818-8b74a1d540e5611dec7bfec1b54d36e6/thumbnail_3343000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6204014/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-health-department-warns-of-grant-cuts-and-reports-rising-STI-numbers-schedules-testing-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204014-3519bf689c6331d88ddd990b02641b2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178359&Signature=ChukRNBvar57O9VrMWYfXQaW75tujKAoBbuWYA2ZFANRscRGiycHH3TXIM66c5PZEcpiD~CuknEV1MiBQWBWGHRfrxaNTqpJKHBZlKxJmODY9HdtYlAybFkoI~1r36IAN3pm8IXgmBbkffmpUEyRkkwMmCoIrnCtCFLJcLQVf2ExjBZLznozQL-lK-2tHLRftfXihmomKDHlzZICif1VyQi8IrKOR3HF-GPmV3CYhSGFof-0PDBRX-9ZpylidfGGo1eLviHJVw4Ff6FxcmXFr-CnJaAdxzZuxYmS-9ZQa60bU~6pOy~1uJzSTV6gUSlwxtxadM5p9JC3F5y5F8IcGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Will County, IL","date","2025-06-12T08:34:14.623Z","article","Elizabeth Balata and staff from the Will County Health Department told the committee the department faces near-term revenue reductions and is expanding HIV/STI outreach amid rising case counts.

Balata said the department was notified by the Illinois Department of Public Health that the Well Woman grant will end June 30 and that the respiratory surveillance grant is subject to an injunction but remains active while the injunction continues. She asked committee members to press legislators for public-health funding and said the Board of Health will discuss funding needs in June and the department plans to bring budget requests to the committee in July.

\"We did get notified by Illinois Department of Public Health that our Well Woman grant is not going to be continued, so it does end on June 30,\" Balata said. She also announced the environmental health laboratory passed its microbiology certification with no deviations and that the health department will open a Mother's Milk Bank depot in Bolingbrook on June 13.

In a separate presentation, Nick Taylor of the HIV/STI program outlined services and 2024 activity: 231 visits related to PrEP/PEP services, 414 HIV tests, 314 STI screenings with 102 positives treated, 12 newly identified HIV-positive patients linked to care and 80 vaccinations administered. Program staff also reported 1,819 chlamydia cases, 877 syphilis cases and 388 gonorrhea cases during the past year.

\"Will County, specifically, we have a higher rate of syphilis right now,\" Taylor said, and he identified men who have sex with men as a population experiencing higher rates, while cautioning that \"anybody can get\" STIs. He described partner-notification methods used by the department and announced a free rapid HIV-testing event on June 27 in partnership with a local Walgreens.

Committee members acknowledged the funding pressures and urged the department to return to the committee with formal budget requests. Balata said the Board of Health is planning advocacy to state and federal lawmakers and will report back at the July meeting. The committee did not take formal votes during these presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting June 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Elizabeth Balata and public-health staff reported the Well Woman grant will end June 30, a respiratory surveillance award is under injunction, and HIV/STI work shows rising syphilis and chlamydia counts alongside expanded testing and PrEP outreach.","taxTitle","Will County, Illinois","taxId",2549,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6204019,"Will County health officials highlight Narcan distribution, new peer recovery hires and kits for pregnant/postpartum women",271,2808000,3079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3780818-8b74a1d540e5611dec7bfec1b54d36e6&start=2808&end=3079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3780818-8b74a1d540e5611dec7bfec1b54d36e6/thumbnail_2808000.jpg","/articles/6204019/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-health-officials-highlight-Narcan-distribution-new-peer-recovery-hires-and-kits-for-pregnantpostpartum-women","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204019-d203d396a38c27ac5ed1e67272876a92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178359&Signature=Q28-qD5w7LDYs3W1JS~MPf~2icX9tyJ93Whq7KHH~Ag1DLWMmU6XE~XUy5j4S95UZMdlJU3AT~hf4qn-olfyc2iJJee9DK5VyYsB5WMbJdOZpjKC6i0~LziyUAnRWbF7FL-vLOVe1LD6-EVtG~e~TN9qQPM2N-foUuMjcBYLBWvFq0niZii3rWcDP5dRXzq~pmZ8ZSFzL87XXNYkwQS9eKgOM5RfIlgn332idBw5URjIE-YA86S0c6s6DnMFN4mv4OYngYa9fteQywWhYe5dUgQ9y~Nouf8sAfTEh~4E-QuHcTpNnNPFW0L5sgURCyIak3L2U68p9N11qQIZ8GIA7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Kathleen Burke told the committee Will Countys substance-use initiative distributed 608 boxes of naloxone last month, launched a peer recovery support program funded by opioid-settlement dollars and has started distributing harm-reduction kits for pregnant and postpartum women.

The substance-use initiative chief said the county is expanding outreach and direct services and that community partners and the new peer positions are helping clients secure housing and follow-up care after release from treatment or detention.

\"We distributed 6 0 8 boxes of Narcan last month,\" Dr. Kathleen Burke told the committee, citing the health departments recent outreach. She encouraged awareness of National Naloxone Awareness Day and said the countys outreach team attends many community summer events.

Burke described a peer recovery support program launched this year with \"2, peer support, individuals\" hired using opioid-settlement funding. She gave an example of peer support helping a woman who had been living in a motel secure public housing after her mother died: \"When you do that, you facilitate their success, their recovery success,\" Burke said, adding that peer staff free therapists to focus on clinical work while peers handle wraparound needs.

The health department is distributing 300 harm-reduction kits for pregnant and postpartum women that include resources for safe care and connections to doulas and community programs. \"We have 300 of these to give out, so we're, distributing them now,\" Burke said, and noted Catholic Charities and local doulas are among collaborative partners.

Burke also highlighted the Recovery Center of Joliets public opening and invited members to the ribbon-cutting and open house. \"It's their grand opening. We're gonna cut the ribbon,\" she said, noting the event schedule and resource tables. She urged committee members to wear purple and recognize Naloxone Awareness Day.

Committee members praised the outreach and asked for follow-up on program impacts and funding sustainability. Burkes office said the rapid-response and peer programs will continue to provide community-based naloxone distribution and referrals; she also thanked community partners including NAMI and the rapid-response volunteers who assemble kits.

No formal committee vote was taken; members requested continued updates and suggested coordination with other county committees for budget and program support where appropriate.","Dr. Kathleen Burke reported widespread naloxone distribution, a two-person peer recovery program funded by opioid settlement dollars, and rollout of 300 pregnant/postpartum harm-reduction kits; officials invited the committee to local recovery events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6204023,"Will County sheriff—s chief deputy details detention facility budget, staffing and accreditation challenges",2600,117000,2717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3780818-8b74a1d540e5611dec7bfec1b54d36e6&start=117&end=2717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3780818-8b74a1d540e5611dec7bfec1b54d36e6/thumbnail_117000.jpg","/articles/6204023/Will-County/Illinois/Will-County-sheriffs-chief-deputy-details-detention-facility-budget-staffing-and-accreditation-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6204023-7c4e5b305e6ed7459757324bffbae2e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178359&Signature=k3VP-kYdS-xVCXblVp0xUNqOGpZI6uKpeGs8wZ1yCv90qHasqOJ28OHezCPhv1aXqi4H2HdslsV0V9Y0yEuqFgB~RRkCUkE-kxx4somoGlSZgKSJYYujLaL4olYvTkB20zc8lWkzPy3mJjpfuc3cZCrloGVCy8mMvGnPm6aL4CBYrR~nJU3Z0qXqMXn8LZ2US8jVMjmMtzS5eCxogwWXxqPw4bpS8qoOyelySOJsJARNL~bVgsErHB9cTAdLWeDn5BWIhuPwdTwUVVwM-LHjwZzhEuQFbQ3FzadS995UGYOdYq~fLHJNNVYdQoJY~xoehKJn7vQ8FmemRre0T-gixg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Deputy Jay Adams told the Will County Health and Public Safety Committee on the departments Adult Detention Facility that the jail spent less than its original county-approved budget last year but faces equipment upgrades, an upcoming wave of retirements and potential loss of inmate-funded programs because of a Federal Communications Commission ruling.

Adams, who said he goes by Dave, summarized the facilitys 2024 revenues and expenses and described day-to-day operations, training and conditions that county officials said matter for safety and budgeting decisions.

Adams told the committee the county originally budgeted about $51,600,000 for the detention facility, revised the number to about $50,800,000 and \"we actually came in $155,000 under the original budget,\" noting lower overtime and steady hiring as cost drivers. He described several small revenue categories: about $600 in one-off housing reimbursements, roughly $72,500 in Corrections Academy reimbursements from the state, a $112,000 SCAP Department of Justice grant for housing criminal aliens and other modest recoveries.

\"The rest of the revenues that we get are budgeted by you members, approved by you,\" Adams said. He also reviewed the inmate trust account, which he said is funded by inmate services such as commissary, video visits and telephone commissions and is used only for inmate-benefit items such as recreation equipment and televisions. \"Everything we spend out of it goes to benefit the inmates,\" he said.

Adams described the facility as a direct-supervision jail with \"pods\" rather than rows of cells and said the operation relies on intensive training: two weeks of facility orientation, eight weeks at the Basic Corrections Academy, one week of direct-supervision instruction and nine weeks of field training. \"That's how we prepare an officer,\" he said.

He outlined capital needs that have been addressed and others that are pending. The jail recently replaced a long-leaking roof and plans to begin a multiweek upgrade of the door-control and integrator system because replacement parts are no longer sold for the existing components. \"We were actually, for a long time, buying replacement network cards and things like that on eBay,\" he said.

On staffing, Adams warned of many eligible retirements: about 21 employees eligible by the end of this year, nine more in 2026 and 15 in 2027. \"So that's a total of 45. And then by 02/1930, we'll have 77 eligible to retire,\" he said. He cautioned that eligibility does not guarantee retirement but said the numbers present a planning challenge for the county. Adams also explained the facilitys current shift structure and why a switch to 12-hour shifts for deputies is not immediately feasible: \"We have minimum staffing requirements and so ... I can't have 1 deputy cover 100 inmates,\" he said, noting the average general-population housing unit \"has about 50 inmates and 1 officer.\" He added the department is exploring 12-hour shifts for supervisors this fall as a pilot.

Adams raised a policy and funding issue stemming from a recent FCC decision that, he said, prevents counties and states from receiving a share of revenues generated by inmate communications. \"The FCC has ruled that the companies that provide the services for the inmates ... can still generate revenues and make a profit, but the counties and the states can no longer have any funds out of that,\" Adams said. He told the committee that items now paid for from inmate communications and commissary fundssuch as law-library subscriptions and services provided by the Center for Correctional Concernsmay need to be reduced or subsidized by county taxpayers going forward.

Committee members asked for additional information. Adams said he would provide the average length of stay and related metrics by the end of the day. Committee member Jackie Mitchell proposed sending the matter of staffing and salaries to the Finance Committee for further budget discussion; Committee member Berkowitz and others also asked for follow-up information on accreditation, insurance and capital needs.

Adams closed by noting the facility holds both medical and mental-health care, including medication-assisted treatment, and reiterated staffing, aging equipment and changes to inmate-funded revenue as the principal near-term concerns.

The committee did not take a formal vote on policy changes; members directed staff and the sheriff's office to supply additional documents and to bring staffing and budget questions to the Finance Committee for a deeper review.","Chief Deputy Jay Adams told the Will County Health and Public Safety Committee the Adult Detention Facility came in under its original budget, but faces near-term staffing retirements, equipment replacement needs and a change to inmate-funded programming after a recent FCC ruling.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Will County health department warns of grant cuts and reports rising STI numbers; schedules testing events

Will County health officials highlight Narcan distribution, new peer recovery hires and kits for pregnant/postpartum women

Will County sheriff—s chief deputy details detention facility budget, staffing and accreditation challenges