VA to buy hospital property for clinic in Joliet

A hospital emergency room in suburban Chicago will be transformed into an outpatient clinic for veterans.

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk announced Wednesday that the Department of Veterans Affairs is purchasing the property from Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet.

Most veterans in the area now make a long commute to the Hines VA Hospital in Chicago for services not available at local clinics.

Lawmakers began lobbying for the Joliet project three years ago after the hospital announced it would be moving to New Lenox.

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert says it was a long road, but the Hinsdale Republican says it was well worth the effort.

Silver Cross is scheduled to vacate in March. The VA will begin renovations once the emergency room building is empty.