About 13% of residents in Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

To help residents prevent or better manage diabetes and support those caring for someone with the condition, the University of Illinois Extension and OSF HealthCare are offering a series of educational classes.

The sessions aim to help participants incorporate health care providers’ recommendations into healthier daily habits.

The classes – led by Susan Glassman, Illinois Extension educator for nutrition and wellness, and Jennifer Scully, a clinical dietitian at OSF HealthCare – will cover topics such as diabetes complications, meal planning and management, reading food labels, portion control, risks for other health problems, planning doctor visits, and eating out.

Each of the four sessions will feature cooking demonstrations, food tastings and recipes designed to meet dietary needs.

The classes will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays from Oct. 22 to Nov. 12 at OSF Saint Clare Medical Center, White Oak Classroom, third floor, 530 Park Ave. East, Princeton.

The program costs $15 per person, including recipe samples and take-home materials.

Registration is open until Oct. 14 and can be completed online at go.illinois.edu/DiabetesSeries2025, by scanning a QR code or by calling the Extension office at 815-224-0889.

Residents needing accommodations to participate are encouraged to contact Glassman at susang@illinois.edu or 815-224-0889 as early as possible to ensure their needs are met. Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry and Oglesby on the IVCC campus.