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The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting that the first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this year was collected on May 9 in Rockford by the Winnebago County Health Department. The specimen tested positive for WNV on May 12. “The news of the first batch of mosquitos carrying West Nile virus is a reminder for Illinois residents to begin protecting themselves from diseases caused by mosquito and tick bites,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “The best defense against West Nile virus is to practice the ‘Three R’s’: reduce, repel, and report’. IDPH urges everyone, and especially those who are older or have weakened immune systems, to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and the viruses they carry.” Last year in Illinois, IDPH reported that 72 counties around the state reported positive tests for WNV in mosquitos, birds, horses or humans. There were 69 confirmed human cases of WNV according to IDPH data and 13 human deaths, the highest number since 17 deaths were recorded in 2018.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is providing notification to the owners and operators of ten Community Water Systems (CWS) that have been identified as having an emergency connection to a CWS that was previously notified of the detection of one or more Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at levels exceeding newly enacted groundwater quality standards. The ten CWS only utilize the emergency connection in the event of a water emergency. A list of the ten systems is included with this notification.

Illinois Department of Revenue sent this bulletin at 05/12/2025 12:53 PM CDT

Governor JB Pritzker, Damera Corporation and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the company will open its first U.S. assembly plant in the Greater Peoria region. Damera Corporation (Damera Bus USA LLC in the U.S.) plans to make a capital investment of more than $31.5 million over four years with support from a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement, which will enable the company to expand into Illinois and create 90 new full-time jobs. The announcement was made with Governor Pritzker and Damera leadership in Washington DC as part of a larger business development trip.

With warmer weather comes “tick season” and the annual observance of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month throughout the month of May. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to learn how to protect themselves from ticks and Lyme disease. “Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States affecting more than 500,000 people nationally each year. As the summer approaches, I encourage our residents to learn to ‘Fight the Bite’ and protect yourself and your loved ones from tickborne illnesses. If you have been in wooded or high grassy areas and are experiencing symptoms – fever, fatigue, headache and a circular rash – see your health care provider immediately.”