Hospital hearings postponed for now
The future of health care in Lake County won't be decided today.
The hearing that could have determined the fate of two hospital proposals has been postponed by the state until late October.
Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board member Eugene Verdu resigned from the four-member board this month.
With another member needing emergency surgery, only two board members are left, making it impossible to have a meeting this month, said Jeffrey Mark, executive secretary of the board.
The planning board, which determines the need for new hospitals and expansion projects, is not slated to meet again until October. Mark said it is unknown if a special meeting will be scheduled before then.
Proposals by Vista Health to build a 140-bed hospital in Lindenhurst and Advocate Health Care to open a 144-bed hospital in Round Lake were scheduled to be heard by the planning board today in Chicago.
Both plans have been analyzed by the state, which has indicated in reports released earlier that it is possible neither hospital is necessary.
Mayors from both towns vying for the project say the cancellation of today's highly anticipated hearing is disappointing.
"It is eye-opening for residents of western Lake County and eastern McHenry County as to how things work," said Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes. "It is frustrating, and I can see why there hasn't been a new hospital built in over 30 years."
Lindenhurst Mayor Susan Lahr called the delay unfortunate.
"People in Lindenhurst and the surrounding area have wanted health care here for a long time," Lahr said. "It is hard to remain in a holding pattern."
Meanwhile, Libertyville-based Condell Medical Center, which has been the most vocal opponent of both proposals, will continue moving forward with its plan to become a Level 1 Trauma Center.
Condell representatives have said if a new hospital is built, Level 1 trauma is not feasible.
"These things can drag out for months," said Kelly Klopp, representative for Condell. "Condell will move forward with their own plans and wait to see what happens."