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McHenry County Health Department seeks more state funding and readies services after lab recertification
Summary
Officials told the board they are advocating for an additional $10 million in Local Health Protection Grant funding, recertified the county water lab for bacteriology and are rolling out services including free flooded-well sampling and Monday STI clinics at Crystal Lake.
County public-health officials told the McHenry County Board of Health they are pursuing more state support while readying operations after recent certifications and staffing changes.
Administrator Hanson said the department has been advocating for a bill that would provide an additional $10 million for the Local Health Protection Grant, a funding source the department uses to support mandated services. “There is a bill that is out there advocating for an additional $10 million in funding for the Local Health Protection Grant,” Hanson said, and offered to provide the bill number to board members after the meeting.
Public-health operations updates included a laboratory recertification and new services. Dr. Noll reported the county’s water laboratory was recertified by the Illinois Department of Public Health for bacteriological testing, and four additional staff earned certification to expand weekend and surge capacity. Dr. Noll said the department will offer free sampling of flooded private wells once waters recede and will provide disinfection guidance. “We do offer sampling of those wells once the water has receded at no cost,” Dr. Noll said.
Responding to flood-related mosquito concerns, Dr. Noll said the department plans to move larviciding of catch basins earlier than usual (normally late May–early June) to address nuisance floodwater mosquitoes.
Director Grant updated the board on clinical and outreach work: the IBCCP team recorded 85 walk-ins in March and is on target for a caseload goal of 643; STI services will begin at the Crystal Lake site on Mondays starting May 4; and staff are pursuing VFC recertification for Crystal Lake and recruiting to fill an immunization nurse vacancy.
Director Hall reported progress filling animal-control positions (about 10 interviews completed, at least one offer extended) and plans to help local animal control administrators engage with pending state laws and testimony processes.
The board also approved routine business: the minutes from the March 16 meeting passed on a motion by Cecilia Carmody, and the consent agenda (monetary items) passed on a roll-call vote. The consent-agenda roll call recorded multiple yes votes and the motion carried.
What this means: the department is preparing for the state fiscal-year grant cycle and trying to shore up staffing and certification to maintain services during flood season and routine clinic expansions. Administrator Hanson and staff said they will provide the bill reference for the Local Health Protection Grant to board members.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes from March 16, 2026 — motion by Cecilia Carmody; second by Ms. Gaffney; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Consent agenda (monetary items) — motion moved by Ms. Gaffney, seconded by Ms. Hollyfield; roll-call vote recorded multiple yes responses and the motion passed. - Adjournment — motion approved; meeting adjourned.
