Illinois health care centers to get $4.9M in federal grants

CHICAGO (AP) - Four Illinois community health centers are receiving a combined $4.9 million in federal grants to provide services in areas where there are barriers to affordable, quality health care.

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth said Thursday the Department of Health and Human Services grants will go to centers in Cook, Lake and Peoria counties.

They include the Lake County Health Department, Heartland Community Health Clinic and Asian Human Services Family Health Center, Inc.

Duckworth says the centers are "vital to the health of our state." She says the money will help them meet health care needs for Illinois residents, especially in low-income or underserved communities.

Durbin says community health centers provide care to more than 1 million Illinois residents annually.