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August 2024 Public Health E-Newsletter 

Community invited to participate in Suicide Prevention Awareness Campaign

Join us, the Community Mental Health Board, and Thrive Counseling Center as we prepare to observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this coming September. You can help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health care by picking up a free 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline yard sign (in English and Spanish) and participating in our social media photo contest.

1. Pick up a yard sign at Village Hall, the CRC or the Farmer’s Market,

2. Place the sign at your residence so it is visible from the sidewalk or street, then

3. Make a public post with the photo on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #YouMatterOP.

At the end of September, four eligible participants will be randomly selected to win a gift certificate to local restaurants and retailers. Check out full contest details and rules here.

Enter the Farmers' Market Pie Bake-Off!

Show off your baking skills and celebrate the bounty of summer by participating in the Oak Park Farmers’ Market’s sixth annual Pie Bake-Off. Registration is now open, and entry forms may be submitted through Aug. 29. Sign up to participate here. More details about the contest, which will take place Sept. 7, can be found here. 

Catch us in the community

Friday, August 9: Back to School Social, 4 to 7 p.m.. CRC, 229 Madison St.

Saturday, August 10: Farmers' Market Corn Roast, 9:30 a.m., 460 Lake St.

Saturday, August 17: Opioid Overdose Prevention Training, 1 to 3 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph St.

Tuesday, August 27: Opioid Overdose Awareness, 9 to 11 a.m., Oak Park Library Idea Box, 834 Lake St.

Plan ahead for the DNC in Chicago

The 2024 Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago this year, kicking off Monday, Aug. 19 and ending Thursday, Aug. 22, which is also the first day of school for Oak Park District 97. Convention events are scheduled at both McCormick Place and the United Center, resulting in fixed and rolling road closures, as well as changes to regular public transportation schedules beginning the night of Friday, Aug. 16. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness division wants all Oak Park residents to be aware that this event, which is expected to draw high-profile politicians as well as tens of the thousands of people to the area, has the potential to cause increased traffic congestion and possible commuting delays. It's best to plan extra time when moving in and out of the city on these days, and start to think about how it may impact your family's scheduling. The Village will be monitoring the event in real time, and provide any updates relevant to Oak Park. Answers to frequently asked questions related to the DNC are posted on the Village website - click here to view. More information is also available on the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communication website.

Opioid Overdose Prevention: Together we can save lives 

In acknowledgement of Opioid Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, we are participating in events throughout the month to increase knowledge, end stigma and honor the lives of those impacted by opioid use.  On Saturday, Aug. 17, we are hosting a free community Opioid Overdose Prevention training from 1 to 3 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph St. Participants will learn about the principles of harm reduction, the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose, how to respond to an overdose using Narcan nasal spray and more. Each trainee will also receive a free opioid overdose prevention kit. To RSVP, please email us at health@oak-park.us with your name and intent to participate.  On Tuesday, Aug. 27, as a member of the Opioid Taskforce, staff from our Health Education division will be at the Idea Box at the front entry of the main library to answer questions and provide resources on overdose prevention and opioid use. From Aug. 19 to 31, the Idea Box will be hosted by the Opioid Taskforce to raise awareness of opioid overdose.  As a member of the The Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC), we are collaborating with other public health departments to produce a video that will be released to recognize August 31 as Opioid Awareness Day. The video will showcase all of the ways local public health departments work to prevent opioid overdoses and affirm that #togetherwecan end the opioid epidemic.

Now accepting nominations for two public health awards

Do you know a public health hero? Every year, we honor local community members who have made an impact in public health in Oak Park with the Fitzsimmons Public Health Award. The award is named for William Fitzsimmons, a medical consultant to the Oak Park Department of Public Health from 1976-1992. A humanitarian who volunteered his services to the Village, Dr. Fitzsimmons is remembered for his compassion toward others, regardless of their race or socio-economic status, a deep love of medicine and dedication to public service.

This year, we are adding a special award within the Fitzsimmons Awards to commemorate the tireless work of Sheila Haennicke, who educates the public about opioid use, bystander overdose response and the importance of carrying Narcan. The David Haennicke Award is named for her son who grew up in Oak Park and died from an opioid overdose in December 2021. This award honors individuals who live, work or play in Oak Park who have made a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families affected by substance use.

Visit our website for more information and to make a nomination.

Ask the Health Department

Q: I'm hearing that Covid is going around right now. Is this true? How do we know?

A: It's true. Covid is currently on the rise in Cook County. The Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System (IWSS) collects samples from seven Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) wastewater treatment plants. Average concentrations of Covid virus in Cook County wastewater have been rising since about mid-April.

Nationally, viral activity levels of Covid in wastewater have reached "high" or "very high" levels, while activity levels in Illinois are currently listed as "moderate." 

We have free rapid tests available to the public so you can know your status and stop the spread. Come by Village Hall at 123 Madison St. between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and ask for tests at the front desk.