Kane County Health Department

You are seen. You are valued. You belong. 🌈

Kane County is home to organizations and services that support, uplift, and connect LGBTQ+ community members of all ages. Whether you’re looking for mental health support, youth programs, affirming healthcare, housing assistance, social groups or community connections. Resources are available, and you are not alone.

Explore local LGBTQ+ serving organizations and services here: https://bit.ly/kane-lgbtq-support

Please help us share these resources with anyone who may benefit. 💙🏳️‍🌈



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Eres visto. Eres valorado. Tú perteneces. 🌈

El Condado de Kane cuenta con organizaciones y servicios que apoyan, fortalecen y conectan a miembros de la comunidad LGBTQ+ de todas las edades. Ya sea que estés buscando apoyo de salud mental, programas para jóvenes, atención médica inclusiva, asistencia de vivienda, grupos sociales o conexiones comunitarias, hay recursos disponibles y no estás solo.

Explora organizaciones y servicios locales para la comunidad LGBTQ+ aquí:� https://bit.ly/kane-lgbtq-support

Por favor, ayúdanos a compartir estos recursos con cualquier persona que pueda beneficiarse. 💙🏳️‍🌈

Next Saturday, join Greater Family Health at Walgreens at 815 Summit St., Elgin for free, rapid and confidential HIV testing.

We can't wait to see you all there!

We're naming 'em. Meet the most common ticks found in Illinois.

⭐Lone Star Tick
Can be recognized by: White dot on its back
Most active: April through the end of July
Can cause: Alpha-gal syndrome (leading to a red meat allergy)
Most often found in: Forested areas with dense undergrowth

🦌Blacklegged Tick, also known as a Deer Tick
Can be recognized by: Reddish-brown body and a black shield on its back
Most active: April through October
Can cause: Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis
Most often found in: Yards, parks, gardens, and wooded edges

🐶Brown Dog Tick
Can be recognized by: Brown, simple appearance
Most active: Year-round
Can cause: Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Most often found in: Homes with dogs, dog kennels

🏔️American Dog Tick
Can be recognized by: Reddish-brown body and silver lines on its back
Most active: April through June
Can cause: Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia
Most often found in: Grassy fields, walkways, and forest edges

But unlike the housewives, tick drama can be avoided:
➡️Check for ticks on yourself and pets after being outdoors.
➡️Wear light colored clothing and long sleeves.
➡️Use bug repellent that contains DEET.
➡️Walk in the center of trails.
➡️If you find an attached tick, remove it immediately with tweezers.

🔗Learn more about common ticks in Illinois: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/common-ticks.html

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and the Kane County Health Department and Elgin Police Department are partnering to help promote safe firearm storage and responsible gun ownership. The Kane County Health Department will give 150 biometric gun safes to gun owners at this event (details below).

June 30, 2026
3:00–6:00 PM
Elgin Police Department, 151 Douglas Ave., Elgin, IL

Attendees can:

- Learn about firearm safety from Elgin Police Department range officers

- Receive a free gun barrel lock

- Register to receive one of 150 free biometric gun safes while supplies last (bring active FOID card to event). Register here: https://redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=47XXEDL8MJWRTAX3

- Connect with local safety resources in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment

Safe storage is one of the most effective ways to help prevent unintentional injuries, youth access to fi****ms, and firearm-related tragedies. By learning about safe storage and locking unloaded fi****ms, we can create safer homes and a safer Kane County.

Our Elgin and Aurora offices will be closed this Friday in observation of Juneteenth and will reopen on Monday, June 22 at 8:30am.

Last week, the Kane County Health Department was honored to receive the 2026 Community Health Equity Partner Award from Rush Copley Medical Center. This recognition reflects the strength of our ongoing partnership and shared commitment to advancing health equity across our communities. Together, we collaborate on community health assessment and planning, emergency preparedness, infectious disease control, substance use prevention, and other critical public health priorities.

We are grateful for this collaboration and look forward to continuing to work together to improve health outcomes for Kane County residents.

Pictured (left to right) are Alex Pope, Rush Copley Medical Center Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Engagement; Laura Barrett, KCHD Director of Disease Prevention; Mariana Martínez,
Rush Copley Medical Center Community Health Outreach Manager; Kim Peterson, KCHD Director of Community Health; Michael Isaacson, KCHD Executive Director; Uche Onwuta, KCHD Director of Health Protection.

Be weather aware, and sign up for Kane County Office of Emergency Management weather warnings as they happen: https://oem.kanecountyil.gov/

Heading to a concert at RiverEdge Park this summer? Stop by the Kane County Health Department table and pick up FREE naloxone kits and gun locks while enjoying some great live music.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, and secure firearm storage helps prevent injuries and save lives.

Look for us at these upcoming RiverEdge Park concerts:

🎵 July 25 – Six One Five Collective
🎵 August 8 – 90’s Pop Nation
🎵 August 9 – UB40
🎵 August 14 – The Beach Boys
🎵 August 21 – Australian Pink Floyd
🎵 August 23 – Third Eye Blind
🎵 August 29 – Stayin’ Alive
🎵 September 10 – Cheap Trick

See RiverEdge Park's complete summer lineup here: https://paramountaurora.com/riveredge/

Learn how to prevent parental burnout at tomorrow's webinar. Spanish interpretation will be available. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/b1Vw2JbNQjSy4uJw7HlOMg