Stephenson County Health Department

04/06/2026

IDPH BOIL ORDER GUIDELINES

04/03/2026

Important information!!! If you or someone you know buys the Walmart brand of Dino-frozen chicken nuggets, please read below!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets sold at Walmart that may contain unsafe levels of lead.

These products are no longer available for purchase but may still be in consumers' freezers.

According to the health alert, "Lead is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and young children because it can harm developing brains and nervous systems, sometimes causing lasting problems. There is no safe amount of lead exposure. Guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration provide an interim reference level (IRL) of 2.2 micrograms. The amount of lead found in these nuggets could be as much as five times higher than this IRL for children. Health experts also say these nuggets may be a risk for women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant."

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/DinoNuggetsAlert

04/02/2026

The Stephenson County Health Department will be closed Friday, April 3 in honor of Good Friday. We will reopen on Monday, April 6. Have a great weekend and happy Easter.

04/02/2026

It’s Public Health Appreciation Month! During the month of April, we’d like to highlight our staff and the amazing work they do.

We’d like to start with our Public Health Administrator, Kerry Whipple!

Kerry started with the Stephenson County Health Department as a Health Educator in 1996. She left in the early 2000s to work for the Illinois Department of Human Services in substance abuse prevention. She decided to pursue her PhD from Southern Illinois University and went on to teach in the public health program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington for 18 years. Kerry has been with us for almost 3 years now as the Public Health Administrator.

Kerry is responsible for health department oversight, budgeting, grant writing, and staffing. The Stephenson County Health Department has 54 employees across 24 programs. Kerry also serves as the Public Health Administrator for the Carroll County Health Department.

We are grateful for Kerry’s leadership and passion for public health, and the experience she brings to our community.

04/01/2026

03/31/2026

Come join us for the celebration!

03/30/2026

We are here to help, call or stop by today!

03/25/2026

Please be aware: There is a company called Promotional Specialties that continues to ask local businesses for donations in the name of supporting the Health Department. Please note, we have not done business with this company for several years and we do not receive the donations they collect. If this company contacts your business about donating to the Health Department, please call our Administrator at 815-235-8271.

03/24/2026

03/15/2026

Out of an abundance of caution for our staff and our clients, the Stephenson County Health Department will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 16 and we hope to reopen on Tuesday, March 17. Stay safe and be well!