Chicago Boosts Mosquito Spraying After West Nile Virus Found

The Chicago Journal Staff 2 on August 22, 2025

Why Is Chicago Expanding Mosquito Spraying Now?

Chicago health officials have confirmed multiple human cases of West Nile virus, prompting an expansion of mosquito spraying across the city. The decision follows weeks of elevated mosquito trap data and environmental conditions that favor virus transmission. With summer temperatures holding steady and rainfall creating ideal breeding grounds, the city is taking extra steps to reduce exposure and limit the spread.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, particularly those from the Culex species. While most people who contract the virus experience mild or no symptoms, some develop serious complications, including neurological issues. The virus has been present in Illinois for decades, but outbreaks tend to spike during warm, wet months when mosquito populations surge.

For residents already dealing with heat advisories and unpredictable weather, the added concern of mosquito-borne illness can feel like one more thing to manage. It’s understandable to feel frustrated by the need for extra precautions, especially when the risks aren’t always visible. That’s part of why the city’s response is focused on prevention and transparency.

Where Is Mosquito Spraying Happening in Chicago?

The Chicago Department of Public Health has identified several neighborhoods for targeted mosquito spraying based on trap surveillance and historical data. Areas with higher concentrations of standing water, dense vegetation, and previous virus activity are being prioritized. These include parts of the South Side, Northwest Side, and near forest preserves where mosquito populations tend to be more active.

Spraying typically occurs during evening hours when mosquitoes are most active and human exposure is lower. Trucks equipped with ultra-low volume sprayers release a fine mist of insecticide designed to kill adult mosquitoes on contact. The chemicals used are approved for public health use and are applied in concentrations that minimize risk to people and pets.

Residents in affected areas are notified in advance through city alerts and signage. While the spraying is not mandatory to avoid, health officials recommend staying indoors during application and covering outdoor items like toys or furniture. The goal is to reduce mosquito populations quickly and prevent further transmission of West Nile virus.

How Does West Nile Virus Affect Chicago Residents?

West Nile virus can affect anyone, but older adults and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience severe symptoms. These can include fever, headaches, body aches, and in rare cases, inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. Most infections go unnoticed, but when symptoms do appear, they can be disruptive and require medical attention.

Chicago Boosts Mosquito Spraying After West Nile Virus Found

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

Chicago’s health department tracks both mosquito activity and human cases to guide its response. When virus-positive mosquitoes are found in traps, it signals a higher risk of transmission and triggers additional spraying. Confirmed human cases add urgency, especially when they occur in clusters or in areas with vulnerable populations.

The city also monitors weather patterns, since warm nights and stagnant water create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. After heavy rains, catch basins, gutters, and backyard containers can become breeding sites. Public outreach efforts encourage residents to empty standing water and report problem areas to city services.

What Can Residents Do to Reduce Mosquito Exposure?

While the city handles large-scale spraying, individual actions still play a role in reducing mosquito exposure. Wearing long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours, using insect repellent, and keeping window screens intact can help limit bites. Removing standing water from yards, planters, and gutters is also important, as mosquitoes lay eggs in shallow, stagnant water.

Community groups and block clubs have also stepped in to distribute repellent and educate neighbors about prevention. Some neighborhoods have organized clean-up days to remove debris and improve drainage, especially in alleys and vacant lots. These efforts complement the city’s spraying program and help build awareness at the local level.

For those living near parks or wooded areas, mosquito activity tends to be higher. Staying alert and taking small precautions can make a difference, especially during peak summer months. While no method guarantees complete protection, combining city efforts with personal habits helps reduce overall risk.

Is Mosquito Spraying Enough to Control West Nile Virus in Chicago?

Mosquito spraying is one part of a broader strategy to manage West Nile virus in Chicago. It’s effective at reducing adult mosquito populations quickly, but it doesn’t eliminate breeding sites or prevent new mosquitoes from emerging. That’s why the city combines spraying with larvicide treatments, public education, and ongoing surveillance.

Larvicide is applied to catch basins and standing water to kill mosquito larvae before they mature. This method targets the source of the problem and helps keep populations in check over time. Surveillance teams monitor mosquito traps across the city, testing samples for virus presence and adjusting response plans as needed.

Chicago’s approach is shaped by years of data and seasonal patterns. While outbreaks vary from year to year, the city has developed protocols to respond quickly and minimize health impacts. The goal is not to eliminate mosquitoes entirely, but to keep virus transmission low and protect residents from serious illness.

For those who’ve experienced mosquito-related health issues or live in high-risk areas, the concern is real. It’s not just about nuisance bites, but about staying safe and informed. The city’s expanded spraying program reflects that urgency and aims to support neighborhoods where the risk is highest.

8 Tips to Build Smart Money Habits with Your Children

The Chicago Journal Staff on August 22, 2025

By: Shawn Mars

As parents, we understand the importance of financial literacy for our children. But, where do we begin? What should be taught, and when is the right time to teach it? In this piece, I’ll share several techniques to help your children develop smart money habits.

The following suggestions cover a wide range of financial concerns for children of different ages and stages. I hope they’ll inspire you to come up with creative approaches to teaching your children about money. But before we get started with the advice, let’s first define financial literacy.

1. Demonstrate Good Financial Habits

Children are always observing and learning from their surroundings. Therefore, modeling healthy money habits can be a valuable way to develop financial literacy in them.

But what exactly does this mean? It starts with breaking the taboo around discussing money. Show your children how you save, spend, invest, track, and budget, and involve them in these processes. Talk about your finances openly and regularly, using the ideas discussed in this article as a guide.

By regularly demonstrating healthy financial practices, you help your children absorb these important skills over time. Through consistent exposure to these lessons, they’ll learn about money in an organic and natural way, which I like to call financial literacy by osmosis. It’s simple, accessible, and can be quite effective!

My husband, our siblings, and I all developed strong financial habits from our parents in this way. (You don’t need YouTube videos, online courses, or parenting books.) Despite our different personalities and spending tendencies, we all grew up with a solid understanding of money.

Keep in mind, though, that perfection is not the goal. Sharing your financial mistakes might actually be just as instructive. This teaches your children that mistakes are part of the learning process and not something to be ashamed of. They’ll also see that errors can offer valuable lessons that can help them grow and make smarter decisions in the future.

2. Teach Your Children To Save Money

Saving money is one of the most fundamental financial skills that children can learn. It’s often easiest to introduce this concept in a hands-on way, especially with younger children. For example, picking out a piggy bank together and depositing money they earn, find, or receive can be a fun and engaging activity.

A basic ceramic piggy bank is a great starting point for young children. Dropping coins in the slot, hearing the sound of the coins fall, and picking up the piggy bank to feel how full it is can be exciting for them.

For somewhat older children, a clear plastic piggy bank that counts the coins as they drop in can be a good option. This helps kids learn about different coins and see how their money grows.

3. Encourage Your Children to Begin Investing

At some point, your children will be ready to manage their own investments. However, you don’t need to wait until then to begin investing their funds. You can start by opening an investment account for them, possibly as soon as they receive extra money from a birthday or holiday.

Since minors can’t open and manage investment accounts, you’ll need to set up a separate account for them and manage the investments on their behalf. These accounts are called custodial accounts in the United States and informal trusts in Canada.

Once the account is open, you can use the lessons shared in this article to teach your child how to invest. They will be able to watch their investments grow over time, which can help build their confidence and interest in investing.

Once they reach the age of majority, they’ll be legally able to manage their investments. Although this might seem risky at first, you can feel more confident knowing your child was involved in the investment process from the start.

Because they’ve worked alongside you to grow their investments, they’ll likely feel a sense of ownership and responsibility, which will encourage them to take care of their assets once they have full control.

A paystub generator could be helpful if you or any of your children are freelancers. Finding a free pay stub generator might help you save money. PaystubsCity offers discounts for new users, which can make it an attractive option. The benefit of using this online stub generator is that it provides a comprehensive solution for businesses and freelancers, covering a wide range of pay stub needs.

4. Go Shopping as a Group

It might seem counterintuitive at first, but taking children shopping can be a great opportunity to teach them about money management. Sooner or later, your children will need to spend money, so why not help them learn how to make smart purchases?

Shopping together is a good way to demonstrate financial literacy. You can show your children how to make thoughtful decisions when purchasing items, especially when it comes to buying things on sale.

Here are a few ways to incorporate financial lessons into your shopping trips:

Take Advantage of Discounts

Purchasing discounted items is a great way to save money while shopping. This could include using apps like Flash Food to buy discounted groceries or shopping clearance racks at clothing stores. Afterward, you can break down the savings with your children to show them how much money you saved through discounts.

5. Promote Delayed Gratification

I believe that being able to embrace delayed gratification is an essential part of financial well-being. Children who can delay gratification tend to:

Develop a longer-term mindset.
Make more thoughtful financial decisions.
Avoid impulse purchases.

Delayed gratification is important because it helps children understand the value of planning ahead and prioritizing needs over immediate wants. This skill can be vital for building a strong financial future.

6. Talk About Financial News and Current Events

Today’s children are constantly exposed to information, and they can easily become interested in the latest trends, fads, or tactics. Whether we like it or not, our children will encounter financial news and current events. Instead of avoiding these topics, we can use them as a chance to build their financial literacy.

You can accomplish this by watching news reports with them, breaking down the stories in ways that are easy for them to understand, and providing age-appropriate explanations about the “whys” and “hows” behind the headlines. This can help them develop a clearer understanding of the world of finance.

7. Show Your Children How To Avoid Debt

Debt can be a significant burden, and it can be especially challenging to overcome if it’s incurred early in life. The key is to help your children avoid falling into such situations.

One way to do this is by explaining that credit cards and loans are not “free money”; they must be repaid with interest.

Encourage timely payments and explain how high-interest debt, like credit card debt, can quickly grow due to compounding.

It’s important to note that some types of debt, like mortgages or student loans, may be necessary, while others, like credit card or car loan debt, are often avoidable. Teaching children to understand these distinctions can be very beneficial in shaping their financial future.

8. Encourage Your Children to Begin Investing (Again)

As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to wait until your children are adults to start investing. Once they receive extra money—perhaps from a holiday or birthday—you can set up an investment account on their behalf.

Since minors can’t open investment accounts, you will need to establish a custodial account (in the U.S.) or informal trust (in Canada) for them.

When they reach the age of majority, they’ll have full control over the account. By that time, your child will likely have a strong sense of ownership over the account and an understanding of how their investments have grown, thanks to your involvement in the process from the start.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We encourage readers to seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any decisions related to their personal finances.