DuPage Convalescent Center receives $2 million pledge

A retired DuPage County judge is pledging to donate $2 million to help the county's convalescent center.

Ken Moy of Hinsdale announced his planned contribution to the DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation during Tuesday's county board meeting.

“I feel that the convalescent home can — under the proper guidance, supervision, care and financing — continue to upgrade and continue to extend this care to all of these poor people who are suffering,” he said.

The county-operated nursing facility in Wheaton offers long-term care and short-term rehabilitative services for hundreds of patients, most of whom are on Medicaid.

Moy said his wife's battles with Alzheimer's disease influenced him to make the pledge to the 368-bed facility along County Farm Road. He said he wanted to make a lasting impact and help other families.

Moy said he hopes his donation will serve as the basis for a new capital campaign to benefit the convalescent center.

“I ask all the people of DuPage County, especially the judges and the lawyers and doctors, to help — to donate to match my funds,” he said.

DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation officials said Moy's donation will be the largest the group has received. The foundation was established in 1993 to provide support and supplemental funding to improve the quality of life for residents at the facility.

“That money will be going to a great cause and will be managed properly,” said Ray Valadez, president of the foundation's board of directors. “We look forward to the capital campaign and helping out the convalescent center to manage this and make it a better place for 300 residents that are there.”

Robert Larsen, chairman of the county board's health and human services committee, said the pledge gives the county “a significant boost” as it develops a long-term strategy for the operation of the center.

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said Moy's pledge “couldn't have come at a better time for us as we recommit ourselves to this mission.”

Moy served as a DuPage judge from 1996 until his retirement in 2007. He previously served as a member of the county board, winning election in 1984, 1988 and 1994.