WOODSTOCK – The Illinois Department of Public Health awarded $3.5 million in We Choose Health grants to 21 organizations, including $298,994 to the McHenry County Department of Health.

The money will be used to support the Coordinated School Health program (a school-based obesity prevention program), establish safe walking/biking routes to school, further policies for smoke-free
outdoor spaces such as parks, create joint-use agreements between schools, communities and groups to increase the number of places for physical activity, and make roads more accessible to pedestrians.

The health department will partner with community-based organizations to accomplish these goals.