Official Wheatland Township Illinois

10/02/2026

Stay Informed About Upcoming Medicaid Changes. The federal government is enacting changes that may affect some Medicaid customers starting January 2027. Many customers will not be affected. Illinois Medicaid will contact you if these changes apply to you. Make sure the State can reach you. If you receive mail from the State of Illinois, open it right away - your coverage may depend on it. Update your address, phone number, and email today: Visit abe.illinois.gov or Call 877-805-5312. For more details and updates, check https://hfs.illinois.gov/info/fedresctr/faqshowwillfedchimpactmedicaid.html

09/30/2026

As National Recovery Month comes to a close, one message is becoming increasingly clear: progress rarely has a single cause.

A recent Forbes Health article explores why alcohol use in the U.S. has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, including growing interest in whether GLP-1 medications may be helping reduce alcohol cravings for some individuals. Early research is encouraging, but the evidence also reminds us to remain cautiously optimistic as the science continues to evolve.

At the same time, alcohol consumption trends are being shaped
by much more than medication alone. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, have demonstrated changing attitudes toward alcohol, often placing greater emphasis on physical health, mental well-being, and lifestyle balance. Economic realities may also play a role, as the rising cost of going out leads many to rethink drinking habits. My contribution to the article touched on these broader generational and cultural shifts that appear to be influencing behavior alongside emerging treatment options.

The takeaway? There is no single explanation for reduced drinking in America. Instead, it appears to be the result of multiple forces working together: advances in treatment, increased health awareness, evolving social norms, and changing priorities across generations.

Recovery, prevention, and healthier choices are often shaped by many small changes that collectively make a very big difference.

U.S. Alcohol Use Falls For First Time Since Covid-19 Pandemic—Is It Because Of GLP-1s?

09/29/2026

***Upcoming Wheatland Township Wellness Series Presentation***

General Considerations for Treating Co-Occurring Disorders
Mental health and substance use concerns often intersect, affecting individuals, families, and communities in complex ways. Join us for an approachable and informative community presentation exploring co-occurring disorders, the term used when someone experiences both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.

Together, we will examine common symptoms and contributing factors, consider how mental health and substance use can influence one another, and discuss why addressing both concerns through an integrated approach can support recovery. Most importantly, this presentation will reinforce a message of hope: co-occurring disorders are treatable, and people can recover with appropriate support, resources, and connection.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:
· Develop a clearer understanding of co-occurring disorders and related terminology.
· Recognize common features of mental health and substance use disorders.
· Consider how biological, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental factors may contribute to these concerns.
· Understand why integrated treatment addresses mental health and substance use together.
· Identify the importance of self-awareness, support systems, and practical recovery resources.

The evening will conclude with an overview of Narcan provided by Bill Green, offering community members an opportunity to learn more about this important lifesaving resource.

No clinical background or previous knowledge is needed. Whether you are interested in learning for yourself, supporting someone you care about, or becoming a more informed community member, you are warmly encouraged to attend. Come with questions, curiosity, and an openness to learning how understanding and compassion can help reduce stigma and strengthen our community.

Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Wheatland Township Building

09/28/2026

Young people experience recovery differently. Supporting youth means meeting them where they are and recognizing their unique strengths, challenges, and goals.

09/28/2026

How many lives can change when one person chooses recovery?

More than we often realize.

Recovery doesn't just affect the individual. It touches parents who finally sleep through the night, children who begin to trust again, spouses who rediscover hope, and friends who no longer live in fear of receiving devastating news.

As National Recovery Month comes to a close, this week's Mental Health Moment explores a side of recovery we don't talk about enough: the ripple effect of healing.

Because recovery isn't just about getting your life back.

Sometimes, it's about giving the people who love you the gift they've been quietly praying for:

More time with you.

🎥 Watch this week's Mental Health Moment with Dr. Matt.

09/24/2026

Where you live should never determine your access to recovery support. Expanding recovery resources in rural communities helps ensure everyone has a path forward.

09/22/2026

When did exhaustion become normal?

At what point did exhaustion become an accepted part of daily life?

Recent CDC findings indicate that nearly three in four U.S. adults experience fatigue, with many reporting it on a regular basis. As highlighted in a recent article by Voice of Healthcare, fatigue is affecting individuals across demographics, particularly women and younger adults. Fatigue is so common that many of us no longer pause to question it. We power through meetings, deadlines, caregiving responsibilities, financial stress, and the nonstop demands of daily life, often convincing ourselves that feeling drained is just part of being an adult.

The prevalence of fatigue raises an important question: "Have we become so accustomed to operating under chronic stress that exhaustion now feels routine?"

Many people are balancing professional responsibilities, caregiving demands, financial pressures, and uncertainty about the future. When these stressors accumulate over time, fatigue can become more than an occasional experience. It can become a persistent part of everyday life.

Perhaps the conversation should extend beyond how many people are fatigued and focus on why. Fatigue is not simply something to push through. It can be an important indicator that our minds and bodies are asking for attention.

Take a moment today to check in with yourself. Not just your schedule, but your energy, your stress level, and your overall well-being. Awareness is often the first step toward meaningful change.

Honored to see this discussion continue through Voice of Healthcare's coverage of the CDC findings and the broader conversation surrounding well-being.

Fatigue affects 71.5% of US adults on at least some days, CDC NCHS found. Women, younger adults and rural residents reported higher rates.

09/21/2026

Some of the most meaningful victories in recovery never receive a coin, certificate, or social media post.

They're the quiet moments no one else sees: sitting with difficult emotions instead of escaping them, choosing honesty when hiding feels easier, setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and believing that your past does not define your future.

This National Recovery Month, let's celebrate the courage that happens beneath the surface. Because recovery isn't only about changing behaviors. It's about learning how to live, heal, and grow one day at a time.

🎥 This week's Mental Health Moment explores the hidden victories that make lasting recovery possible.

09/19/2026

🚒 Rain or shine, our Open House is ON! 🚒

A little rain won't stop us! Join Plainfield Fire Protection District tomorrow, Saturday, September 19th, from 11 AM - 2 PM at Station 2!

We've moved things around so you can stay dry and still enjoy the day. We will have tours, vendors, and activities set up inside the apparatus bay. Kids can still climb aboard the truck, try out the Children’s Firefighter Challenge, meet our firefighters, and see Sparky!

Grab your rain boots and umbrella, and come say hi. We'd love to see you there!

📍 23806 W. 135th St, Plainfield Illinois
🕙 11 AM - 2 PM

09/18/2026

Are you a Wheatland Township resident interested in participating in our Mental Health Advisory Committee?

Wheatland Township is now accepting applications from residents interested in serving on our Mental Health Advisory Committee.

The committee will help advise the Township on mental health needs in our community, identify opportunities to strengthen services and resources, provide input on programs and initiatives, and help ensure our efforts reflect the experiences and priorities of the people we serve.

We are looking for community members who care about improving mental health and wellness in Wheatland Township. Professional experience in mental health is welcomed, but not required. Parents, educators, healthcare professionals, first responders, youth advocates, community leaders, and residents with an interest in this work are encouraged to apply.

If you are passionate about strengthening mental health resources and helping build a healthier, more connected community, we encourage you to get involved.

https://wheatlandtownship.com/2026/08/25/mental-health-advisory-committee/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUaf8dwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6-WAkMDY4YDxYRRFwH1r7GBK2TfW0Qq871JwyDYj7ho-ZRMs0u9MDIrRdSSA_aem_ofYu3yhWVeVMv93bkywDFA

August 25, 2026 - In Uncategorized By Michael Crowner Comment off Wheatland Township Mental Health Advisory Committee — Applications Now Open Wheatland Township is now accepting applications from residents interested in serving on our Mental Health Advisory Committee.The committee will help advise...