(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed the first two batches of mosquitoes to test positive in 2024 for West Nile virus in Illinois, one in Hoffman Estates in Cook County & one in Morgan County. Monitoring for West Nile virus in Illinois includes laboratory tests for mosquitoes and dead birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. Last year, 67 Illinois counties reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird, horse, and/or human case, up from 44 in 2022.
(JOLIET) More northern Illinois Catholic parishes in the west and south suburbs of Chicago could be closed or consolidated. The Diocese of Joliet, which oversees Catholic parishes in Will, DuPage, Kankakee, Kendall, Grundy, Ford, and Iroquois Counties, is considering whether to close or merge at least 19 parishes. Officials say there are several reasons for the restructuring, including budgetary issues, lower mass attendance, and a lack of priests.
(SPRINGFIELD) As state leaders and mental health advocates mark May as Mental Health Awareness Month, they continue the discussion about ongoing statewide initiatives to improve services for people dealing with mental health issues and their families. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month activities, the Transformation Initiative is distributing materials to promote a sense of calm and wellness, including a collaborative Spotify playlist with songs from mental health advocates across the state. For more, go to nami.org.
(SPRINGFIELD) At this summer’s Illinois State Fair, The Arena will host a variety of family friendly events, including the Monsters of Destruction, a monster truck show scheduled for Thursday, August 8th. Then two days later, Saturday, August 10th, fairgoers will be treated to a full slate of rodeo events by Wooten Rodeo. The Illinois Tractor Pulling Association will be at The Arena on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, August 12th, 13th, and 14th. The tickets for all of these fan-favorite events, as well as others, are now on sale by going to the State Fair website, at statefair.illinois.gov. The fair runs August 8th through the 18th.