March 24 -- World TB Day

The World Health Organization has designated March 24 as World TB (Tuberculosis) Day.  World TB Day provides the opportunity to raise awareness about TB-related problems and solutions and to support worldwide TB-control efforts. Although great strides have been made to control and cure TB, people still get sick and die from this disease in this country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states this year’s theme is “Find TB. Treat TB – Working Together to Eliminate TB” to highlight that TB is still a life-threatening problem in the U.S, despite the declining number of TB cases. The CDC further states that “anyone can get TB and current efforts to find and treat latent TB infection and TB disease are not sufficient. Misdiagnosis of TB still exists and health care professionals often do not think TB”.

In 2014, McHenry County had 5 cases of active tuberculosis and 57 people were identified with latent TB. McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is active in conducting outbreak investigations, surveillance of TB cases, providing skin test clinics, treatment for active and latent cases of TB, and outreach to those populations at high risk for developing TB. 

The Department’s TB Clinic, located in Building B on the Government Center campus (2200 N. Seminary, Woodstock), provides chest x-rays, diagnostic studies, laboratory services and medication at no charge to any resident or anyone employed in McHenry County.  “Directly observed treatment” (DOT) is provided to active cases to assure patients take their medication at the dose and frequency prescribed for cure and to prevent the development of multi-drug resistant TB which continues to grow as an international threat.  A small fee is charged for tuberculin skin testing.

A recent presentation was given to the McHenry County Board of Health in January, 2015 to provide an update on TB. Go online at www.mcdh.info and select the Nursing, Tuberculosis tab in the toolbar to view the presentation. For more information on TB, call MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500

MCC Forensics Team Talent Showcase April 1 And 2

The McHenry County College Forensics Team will compete at the 82^nd Phi Rho Pi National Tournament. To prepare for the competition, students will showcase their talents at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 1 and 2 in the Black Box Theatre, located in Building E. The college is located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

“This is the most successful team of competitors in MCC’s Forensics program history,” said Forensics coach Bonnie Gabel, referring to the recent feat of every team member placing in the final round, plus several finishing as finalists in multiple events. All this came after winning a total of three first-place Team Sweepstakes in the previous season.

Admission is $5, which will support the team’s trip to the national tournament in Cleveland. For more information on MCC’s Forensics Team, contact Bonnie Gabel at (815) 455-8684 or bgabel@mchenry.edu.

Mask Making Workshop For Veterans, Reservists And National Guard Members

The McHenry County College Clay Club and Student Veterans of America invite all area veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard to “Unmasked,” a mask-making workshop beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11. The event will take place in the Clay Studio, Room A145.

Participants will build their own personal masks and will receive one-one-one guidance from experienced clay arts practitioners. Participants will learn surface altering and glazing techniques to decorate the surfaces. Clay-making demonstrations and discussions will also be included. 

“The creative process of mask-making gives veterans and service members a format to express themselves in a new way,” said retired Air Force technical sergeant Kati Beck, president of MCC’s chapter of Student Veterans of America. This event was inspired by a recent National Geographic article: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/healing-soldiers/index.html and the images pictured with veterans.

The event is free for veterans and includes lunch, tools and supplies. Donations to the Student Veterans of America are welcome. Space is limited. Register by April 4 in the Student Veterans Resource Center, Room C122 or in the Student Life Office, Room A252.

For more information, contact the Student Life Office at (815) 455-8550.

Explore Profession Possibilities At MCC

WHERE: McHenry County College, Commons Area and Gym

WHEN:  5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18

Sixth graders through high school sophomores and their families will have an opportunity to explore career options and educational programs in an immersive and interactive format. MCC and area businesses will highlight such industries as manufacturing, engineering/robotics, culinary and hospitality, health professions, public services and business.

Special demonstrations and interactive activities include:

STEM Zone – “Engineering Your Future,” featuring fun activities with robotics, environmental engineering, architectural design and manufacturing engineering.

Culinary Management and Arts – Features MCC’s state-of-the-art culinary teaching lab and tours
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DIGITAL tion), augmented reality display and iPhone app demonstration.

In addition, students can visit the tech stations for career cruising and completing interest surveys and find out about Dual-Credit programs for high school students 

For more information, contact Kellie Carper at (815) 455-8670 or Laura Beaupre at (815) 455-8597

Proposed Legislation To Provide Important Fix To Medical Cannabis Pilot Program

Wheeler’s legislation, House Bill 341, amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act to ensure that law enforcement and corrections officials have the ability to conduct their duties in dealing with incarcerated or paroled individuals without risk of criminal or civil liability. This unintended consequence was brought to Wheeler’s attention thanks to the efforts of Bull Valley Police Chief Jim Page.

“This legislation provides an important fix to an unintended aspect of the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program,” said Wheeler. “Our state’s law enforcement and corrections officials need to be able to perform their duties without having to second guess themselves because of an unintended consequence of a new law. I’m glad my legislative colleagues agree and I look forward to sending this legislation to the Senate for approval very soon.”

Under the new Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, law enforcement and corrections officials could have faced criminal charges for performing duties that may have required them to limit access to the program by cannabis use cardholders that are incarcerated, paroled, or under supervision. The correction made by HB341, also being sponsored by former police officers Rep. John Anthony and Rep. John Cabello, ensures officials will be safe to perform their legally mandated duties without fear of involuntarily putting themselves at risk because of an unforeseen aspect of the new law.

“When reviewing the Cannabis Pilot Program, we in law enforcement saw some areas of concern and one in particular,” said Bull Valley Police Chief Jim Page. “The potential risk to officers performing their duty needed immediate attention. I want to thank Rep. Wheeler for carrying this legislation and the legislature for acknowledging the hole in the new law and acting quickly to fix it.”

 HB341 has been backed by not only Police organizations, but also the Illinois Hospital Association. Wheeler’s legislation has had a second reading on the House floor and is expected to be called for a final vote in the near future. To stay up-to-date on this legislation, or any others, visit www.ilga.gov<http://www.ilga.gov>.

Reduced Fee Water Testing Offered During April

In recognition of Public Health Week (April 6-12), McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer reduced fee water testing for individual well water users from April 1-30.    Residents can have their well water sampled for coliform bacteria and nitrate for $18.
 
Testing your well regularly is the only way to determine whether the well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless.  Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards. 

Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally.  Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, or decaying plants.  High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women.  Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water. 
  
Sterile sample containers from the Department are required and are available at the locations below. Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm.

• Algonquin Township Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake (847) 639-2329
• Dorr Township Office, 1039 Lake Street, Woodstock (815) 338-0125
• McHenry County Dept of Health, 2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock (815) 334-4585
• McHenry County Dept of Health, 100 N Virginia St, Crystal Lake (815) 459-5151
• McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry (815) 385-5605
• Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011
• City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo (815) 568-7112
• Harvard Police Department, 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431
• Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077
• Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328

 For more information, contact MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585 or visit www.mcdh.info.