Gov. Rauner and Fitness Icon Jake Steinfeld Award Three Illinois Schools for Commitment to Physical Fitness and Wellness Programs

Winning Schools to be Awarded State-of-the-Art Live Positively Fitness Centers

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils, announced today the three winning schools that will each receive a state-of-the-art Live PositivelyTM Fitness Center. This multi-million dollar physical fitness campaign has named Abbott Middle School in Elgin, Drake Elementary School in Chicago and Lincoln Middle School in Rockford as Illinois' most outstanding schools for demonstrating new and innovative ways for promoting student physical activity and wellness.

"Healthy habits begin in childhood, and these new fitness centers will help students build a solid foundation of physical activity at a young age," Governor Rauner said. "With childhood obesity rates in Illinois among the highest in the nation, it's imperative we take steps to reverse the trend. I'm happy to see three Illinois schools benefit from this public-private partnership, and thank Jake and the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils for providing them with this incredible opportunity."

One of the greatest features of this program is that the Live Positively Fitness Centers are fully funded through public/private partnerships with companies like Coca-Cola, Anthem Foundation and Nike; and even better, there is absolutely no government funding or any costs to taxpayers.

"Childhood obesity is not a partisan issue; it's a kids' issue, and Governor Rauner has fully embraced our program and it's been inspiring," said Jake "Body by Jake" Steinfeld. "Since 2012, the National Foundation has provided fitness centers to more than a MILLION school kids and community members across the U.S.A. We are thrilled to award three Illinois schools with new fitness centers that will have a lasting impact on kids well into their future. I've always said that when you give the schools the tools, amazing things will happen. Not only will kids become more active and fit, they will also have increased confidence, improved self-esteem and will achieve greater academic success!"

The National Foundation's goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world. Physical activity and exercise are shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. In schools, studies show that physical activity improves academic achievement, increases confidence and self-esteem, reduces discipline problems, cuts absenteeism and fosters better interpersonal relationships.

The new fitness centers will be dedicated at ribbon cuttings ceremonies this fall. The National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils plans to bring its program to all 50 states in the coming years.

For more information about the National Foundation, visit www.natgovfit.org.

About the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils
The National Foundation seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness. The National Foundation envisions a fitness center in every school in the U.S., helping to build a nation that—through innovation and a "Don't Quit" attitude—boasts the fittest kids in the world. Since 2012, the Foundation has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut and Virginia. In 2015, schools in Illinois, Arkansas, Florida and Texas will receive new fitness centers.