The Henry County Health Department is the place for area parents to obtain certified copies of birth certificates for children born in Henry County since 1971. The office is located at 110 N. Burr Blvd in Kewanee. In addition, certified death certificates since 1971 are also available through their office.
Naomi Stahl, deputy registrar, said “The complimentary record of a child’s birth certificate that is provided by the hospital is not a legal document.”
Parents are required to show proof of the child’s birthdate upon applying for security benefits or for a social security number which is necessary to open a savings account.
“Proof of birthdate is also required for school entrance,” said Stahl, “and a certified copy of the original birth certificate is necessary.” In some areas of the United States non-custodial parents may attempt to register children in school without legal birth certificates. School officials have been warned to be suspicious of this practice, noting that each year, many children are reported taken from their custodial parents and illegally transported to other areas of the country.
Either – birth parents, listed on the child’s birth certificate, or court ordered legal guardians may request a certified copy of their child’s birth certificate by contacting the Henry County Health Department at 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee or 309-852-0197. In addition, birth parents will need a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with a completed request form and fee.
The charge for obtaining birth certified copies is $13 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy. The cost of certified death certificate copies is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy.
For more information on obtaining certified birth or death certificates, call the Health Department at 309-852-0197. Request forms are also available on their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com at the following link under vital records https://www.henrystarkhealth.com/349/Birth-Death-Records. Enclose a photo ID, such as a driver’s license along with your request and fee.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon announce that August has been designated National Immunization Awareness Month – NIAM.
The theme for National Immunization Awareness Month – NIAM in 2025 is “Don’t let history repeat itself. Protect your future. Get immunized!” This theme emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing serious diseases and encourages individuals to stay up to date on their recommended vaccines. The goal of National Immunization Awareness Month is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly.
August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and healthcare workers are preparing for the upcoming infectious season.
During Immunization Month, they encourage you to talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccination. Today, more than ever we are reminded how immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the US and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the US still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
First Choice Healthcare reminds area residents that routine immunizations can be obtained through their locations in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon by appointment. First Choice has all required immunizations as private pay vaccines. Please call for eligibility, costs, and for vaccine availability.
For more information on the First Choice Healthcare immunization services call Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011 or Toulon 309-852-3115 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program asks, “Do You Need Health Insurance?” Their Health Insurance Navigators will be present at some upcoming local events to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:
Save A Lot, 401 S. Main St., Kewanee, Ill.
Thursday, Aug. 21
1-4 p.m.
Hollis House, 605 Hollis St., Kewanee, Ill.
Friday, Aug. 29, 1-4 p.m.
Colona Township Hall, 801 1st St., Colona, Ill.
Friday, Sept. 5, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
“Get Covered Illinois” Navigators can help you:
● Find affordable health coverage that meets your needs
● Fill out and submit your application
● Compare quality health plans side-by-side
● Find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium
● Find out if you qualify for Medicaid or an affordability program
● Understand your benefits
● Understand health insurance terms
Remember you may be eligible to enroll in a Get Covered Illinois health plan outside of the usual Open Enrollment, or make changes to your existing coverage, if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period – SEP. The SEP may require you to enroll within 60 days of a
Qualifying Life Event. A qualifying life event is a life change, such as: Loss of health coverage due to:
● Losing job-based coverage
● Losing Medicaid coverage
● Losing health benefits for immigrant seniors or health benefits for immigrants’ adult coverage
● A divorce or legal separation
● Turning 26 years old, no longer eligible for parents’ coverage
Other Qualifying Life Events include:
● Getting married
● Having a baby or adopting a child
● Moving to a new ZIP code or county
● Becoming a US citizen
● Leaving incarceration.
For more information on this Get Covered Illinois Navigator Event or assistance in enrolling in a Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Marketplace please call 309-852-5272.
Wet warm summer means mosquito season is still underway in Illinois. With this comes the risk of West Nile virus – WNV, which has been confirmed from environmental samples in both Henry and Stark County. The Henry & Stark County Health Departments is reminding everyone of the importance of taking action to “Fight the Bite.” by practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel and report.
REDUCE – make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut. Eliminate, or refresh each week, all sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires, and any other containers.
REPEL – when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
REPORT – report locations where you see water sitting stagnant for more than a week such as roadside ditches, flooded yards, and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes. The local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, which will kill any mosquito eggs.
For more information on West Nile virus or mosquito control measures call the Health Department at 309-852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.
The Henry & Stark County Health Department’s First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon have family planning and reproductive health services.
Through the Family Planning clinic services, the First Choice Healthcare Clinics hope to give women the information and means they need to protect and improve their health, to plan pregnancies and make responsible decisions. The program also hopes to detect other health problems early in their development so that clients can be referred to other health care providers for treatment.
Many people believe they are without resources to afford reproductive health services – However, they may be eligible for free services based on their income. Did you know not all adolescents are on birth control to have sex or protect against pregnancy? Some girls who choose not to be sexually active suffer from heavy periods or need to regulate their cycles and birth control pills can also help with acne.
Clinics are held at their three locations: 110 N. Burr Blvd, Kewanee 309-852-5272; 103 1st St., Colona 309-792-4011; 120 East Court St., Toulon 309-852-3115. Appointments, which are necessary, may be made by contacting the clinic nearest you.
The family planning program provides annual physical exams to area women, including a breast exam and pap smear. The clinics offer contraceptive services such as: Depo, Nexplanon, free condoms and more. In addition, they offer pregnancy testing.
The clinic accepts Medicaid payments and private pay. A sliding fee scale, based on the client’s income, had been established to assist low-income families to obtain services. In addition, grant funds are available for those who meet certain eligibility requirements.
For more information or to schedule an appointment call the First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Department
