Press Releases

     Registration is open for the Will County Youth Provider Summit scheduled for Friday, September 30.  Hosted by the Workforce Investment Board of Will County, the Summit will offer education and networking opportunities for individuals and groups who work with youth in the community, including those in education, support services and health fields.

     Today, Will County Executive Larry Walsh delivered his 11^th annual State of County address during the monthly County Board meeting. In his remarks, Walsh credited the continued success of the county to working together towards common goals.

     “We continue to see numerous positive attributes that we can be proud of throughout all our local communities,” Walsh said. “When we work together, we can achieve great things.

Workforce Services Division of Will County has announced the Mobile Workforce Center’s September schedule, with stops in six communities.

Workforce Services Division of Will County has announced its September workshop schedule.

S&P Global Ratings has assigned an AA+ and Moody’s Investor Services has assigned an Aa1 rating to Will County’s upcoming $175M bond issuance. This review process also resulted in an affirmation of these ratings to the county’s existing debt. The ratings were based upon key rating drivers such as healthy reserves supported by strong financial operations, a robust regional economy, and manageable long-term liabilities. Each agency also assigned a “stable outlook” to the county based upon these attributes.                                                                                                           

     “Due to Will County’s fiscally conservative approach, we have maintained this AA+ rating from S&P since 2008,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh. “Will County is able to pay its bills and when many governmental bodies are facing challenging financial outlooks, Will County is fiscally sound and moving forward.”

Will County Employees celebrated a kickoff party for “Get Fit on Route 66” on August 1, 2016.   This program is designed to increase activity and gain awareness of health and wellness while building positive camaraderie for county employees, as they walk the distance from Chicago to California! The ultimate goal is for teams made up of 6 members to walk the distance of Route 66, 2451 miles, in 12 weeks! 

     Despite the hot sun and warm temperatures, 200 volunteers were hard at work last week painting, hammering, and sawing at several projects in the Fairmont neighborhood in unincorporated Lockport Township. The week was the kick-off of the Fairmont Redevelopment Program and the volunteers, representing the Reach Mission ministry, came from the local area and around the country.

     “This is all about improving the quality of life for these residents,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh. “These days, as government must continue to do more with less resources, partnerships like this are invaluable to serve our constituents.”

     Will County health officials said a fourth rabid bat has been reported. The bat was found alive on July 27 near an outdoor pond at a residence in Custer Park. There was no human exposure.

      The resident noticed the bat lying on the ground near the pond and used a rake to push the bat into a bucket. A family of four with three dogs lives in the residence. The Will County Health Department and Animal Control were notified and retrieved the bat for rabies testing. The bat tested positive for rabies on July 28.

     With the first day of school just weeks away, the Will County Health Department has announced extended hours from August 1 – 12 at its Walk-In Immunization Clinic, located at 501 Ella Ave. in Joliet. These extended hours also support August as National Immunization Month to ensure opportunities for all children and adults to receive their necessary immunizations. 

     The clinic’s extended hours, for the next two weeks, will be offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  

Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have been found in a trio of Will County communities.