A Public Bathing Beach is any body of water used for the purpose of public swimming or recreational bathing.  Public beaches must be operated in compliance with the Illinois Swimming Pool and Bathing Beach Code which requires licensure by the Illinois Department of Public Health and includes guidelines to address life safety and sanitation issues and minimum water quality standards. The McHenry County Department of Health provides oversight of the local public beaches in McHenry County per an agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health.