Will-County-Public-Health-Safety-Committee-Meeting-July-3-2025

Health Department Opens Second Breast Milk Depot in Bolingbrook

The Will County Health Department has opened its second breast milk depot in partnership with Mother’s Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, expanding access to donated breast milk for families in need.

The new depot at the department’s Northern Branch Office in Bolingbrook held its grand opening June 13th, with the first donor contributing an impressive 1,000 ounces – equivalent to 10 gallons – of breast milk on opening day.

The health department serves as a collection point for approved donors, with Mother’s Milk Bank handling the screening, pasteurization and distribution process. Donors must complete blood work and health questionnaires before approval, and the donated milk is stored in specialized freezers provided by the milk bank.

“Mother’s Milk Bank of Western Great Lakes then comes and picks it up, pasteurizes it, and then gets it out to hospitals, NICU units, and mothers that maybe could not supply enough for their babies,” explained Elizabeth Bilotta, Executive Director.

The program supports families whose infants require breast milk but cannot access adequate supplies through traditional means. The milk bank distributes to hospitals with neonatal intensive care units and directly to families in need.

Breast milk can be stored safely at room temperature for up to four hours, refrigerated for up to four days, and frozen for six to twelve months when properly stored, according to health department officials.

The first depot operates at the main health department facility, with both locations now providing convenient access points for donors throughout Will County.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

will-county-board

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Briefs

Bed donation program: Will County donated old beds from Sunny Hill Nursing Home to Joliet Junior College and Project Cure after the nursing home received all new beds for residents....
Meeting Briefs

Manhattan Village Board Briefs

Banks Farm Development: The village board approved six separate resolutions demanding payment on letters of credit for various phases of the Banks Farm Development Villas of Prairie Trails project, covering...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Frankfort Board Approves New Wendy’s on Route 30 With Numerous Modifications

A new Wendy's restaurant is set to be built at the northwest corner of U.S. Route 30 and Frankfort Square Road after the Frankfort Village Board unanimously approved the project...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Historic Downtown Frankfort Property Granted Deck and Patio Variances

The owners of a historic mixed-use building in downtown Frankfort have received approval for six zoning variances to construct a new paver patio and a second-floor rear deck. The Frankfort...
MH 114 June 2

Manhattan School Board Approves Staff Changes, Healthcare Extension in Special Session

Manhattan School District 114's Board of Education approved several personnel changes and a healthcare extension during a special meeting Monday evening, conducting most of its business in closed session. The...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Frankfort Approves $1.3 Million in Bills, Including Annual Insurance Payment

The Frankfort Village Board authorized over $1.3 million in payments at its meeting Monday, with nearly half of the total amount covering the village's annual insurance premiums. Trustees unanimously approved...
Meeting Briefs

School District 114 June 2 Meeting Briefs

Staff Departures: Manhattan School District 114 accepted the resignations of Emily Corcoran and Caroline Pesa-Miller, both effective at the end of the 2025 school year. The board approved both resignations...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Village Board for June 2, 2025

Wendy's Project Approved with Multiple Variances: The Village Board gave final approval for a new Wendy's restaurant at U.S. Route 30 and Frankfort Square Road. The project required a major change...
frankfort-park-district.1

Frankfort Park Board Holds Closed-Door Talks on Five Oaks HOA Dispute

The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners entered into a closed executive session on Tuesday, May 27, to discuss pending litigation concerning the Five Oaks Park parcel, signaling a deepening...
MH VB 5--22

Manhattan Board Changes Meeting Time, Limits Public Comment

Village moves to 5:30 p.m. start time and reduces speaking period from five to three minutes The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees approved two ordinance changes Tuesday that will...
MH VB 5--22

Manhattan Challenges Neighboring Villages to Pop Tab Competition

Community fundraising effort for Ronald McDonald House expands to include multiple villages The Village of Manhattan has officially challenged neighboring communities to a summer-long pop tab collection competition benefiting the...
Meeting Briefs

Manhatttan Village Board Meeting Briefs

MUNICIPAL UPDATES Memorial Day Services Planned: The I Honor Banner Ceremony will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Manhattan Township Building, 230 S. Wabash Street. The ceremony dedicates...
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

Frankfort Township Approves Employee Raises, Details Major Infrastructure and Service Projects

Frankfort Township employees will receive a 2.5% cost-of-living pay increase after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the adjustment at its Monday, May 19 meeting. The move came as Supervisor...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Fire Station Construction Bids Due June 3, Storm Generates 40 Emergency Calls

The Manhattan Fire Protection District has received strong interest from contractors for its new fire station project, with construction bids due back June 3 and groundbreaking still targeted for July....
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

New High-End Bar ‘Ace & Vine’ Gets Green Light from Township Board

A new bar focused on high-end liquor and an extensive wine collection is one step closer to opening in Frankfort Township after the Board of Trustees voted to recommend a...