November, 2026 | Leer en Español


Gobble Up the Good Times, Not the Germs

Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and gathering together. As you celebrate with family and friends, help keep everyone healthy by keeping unwanted guests (germs!) from joining the festivities. Help protect yourself and others by following some simple steps below:


• Stay home if you are sick
• Wash your hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Handle and store food safely
• Stay up to date on recommended vaccines
• Avoid close contact when someone is sick
• Take extra care around older adults, babies, and those with weakened immune systems

KCHD Recertified Through 2031

The Illinois Department of Public Health has approved the Kane County Health Department’s five-year IPLAN submission, recertifying the department through November 3, 2031.

The state-required planning process includes the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which identify key health priorities and strategies to improve well-being across Kane County. Current priorities include behavioral health, food access, housing and access to health care.

KCHD is also beginning its next Community Health Assessment and encourages residents to participate in an upcoming survey. Community input will help identify local health needs and guide future improvement efforts. Look out for a link to the survey in next month's newsletter.

New Water Well and Septic Online Tools

KCHD has launched online assistance tools to help residents find information and resources about private wells and private sewage disposal (septic) systems.

• Get answers to our most frequently asked questions or submit a question
  
• Request a copy of septic designs from 1992 - present

Upcoming Events


Click the links to register for these free upcoming virtual health events:


• November 12, Protecting Your Mental Well-Being: Self-Care Leadership Training for Early Childhood Professionals Part 2 - Free, virtual and interactive trainings for early childhood professionals and daycare/childcare staff on how healthy boundaries and clear communication strengthen leadership and support self-care.
  
• November 30, Winter Ready: Preparing for Cold Weather and Emergencies - Are you ready for winter weather? Winter can bring snow, ice, extreme cold and unexpected emergencies. A little preparation now can help keep you, your family and your community safe.
  
• December 11, Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with EMDR-Informed Trauma Work​ - Designed for mental health counselors and focuses on using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles alongside appropriate EMDR-informed trauma interventions. 

• Conversations That Matter: A Webinar Series on Suicide in Kane County (register once for all four webinars)
  
• January 19, Understanding Suicide: Recognizing the Signs and Knowing How to Respond
  
• January 26, Supporting Someone Who Is Struggling: Mental Health, Substance Use and Suicide Prevention
  
• February 2, Creating Safer Environments: Lethal Means Safety and Suicide Prevention
  
• ​February 9, After Suicide: Understanding Loss, Grief and Community Postvention
  
• If your organization would like to be a promotional partner for Conversations that Matter, email: koraltina@kanecountyil.gov
  

Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips


Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and plenty of delicious food, but it’s also important to keep food safety in mind! With so much cooking, preparing, and serving happening, it’s easy for food to sit out too long or be handled improperly, creating an opportunity for foodborne illness. A few simple steps, like cooking foods to the proper temperature, keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and refrigerating leftovers within two hours, can go a long way in keeping everyone healthy. 

​U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week: November 18-24


U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week raises awareness about the importance of using antibiotics responsibly and preventing antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections but do not work against viruses such as colds, flu, RSV or COVID-19. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat.

The Kane County Health Department encourages community members to help protect the effectiveness of antibiotics by:

• Taking antibiotics only when prescribed by a healthcare provider and not pressuring providers to prescribe them to you
• Following instructions and taking antibiotics exactly as prescribed
• Never sharing antibiotics or using leftover medication
• Practicing good hand hygiene and staying up to date on recommended vaccinations to prevent infections

Using antibiotics wisely helps protect their effectiveness and keeps our communities healthier.