Board delays Lindenhurst hospital plan

Had the state heard Vista's plan to build a hospital in Lindenhurst on Monday, the outcome might have been different.

But it didn't, and now the proposal that has been on the drawing board for almost a year has been deferred for two more months.

Members of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, who oversee construction of new hospitals, recommended deferral on Tuesday during their monthly meeting in Chicago.

The recommendation comes after the planning board adopted new rules Monday outlining how the need for new facilities will be determined.

"What happened today was very positive," said Vista CEO Barbara Martin. "The board could have just denied us. Instead they recommended deferral and showed that they are willing to work with us."

Changes to the rules include a different way of assessing "patient migration" -- the number of people who receive services at health-care facilities located in a planning area other than where they live -- and population estimates.

Vista officials didn't know Tuesday if the new rules would work in favor of or against their proposal to build a 140-bed, $100 million hospital in Lindenhurst.

Martin said they will know more when they meet with planning board members Dec. 4 and 5.

Officials from rival hospital Advocate Health Care are also unsure how the new rules will affect their proposal. Oak Brook-based Advocate will ask the state in December if it can move forward with plans for a $251 million, 144-bed hospital in Round Lake.

"Right now we just focus on going forward with our original version," said Nate Llewellyn, Advocate spokesman.

If either proposal is approved, it would mean the first new hospital in Lake County in 30 years, which is something elected officials and rescue workers say is long overdue.

Lake Villa Township Rescue Chief J.R. Halek and Lake County Board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt were prepared to give statements on behalf of Vista Tuesday but were told by the planning board their comments would not be allowed.

Both Vista and Advocate have previously held public hearings on their proposals.

Schmidt said she would have liked to seen a decision made Tuesday but recognizes you can't argue with the planning board.

"The longer we put off a decision either way, the longer more people are going to have to go without a hospital," Schmidt said. "But hopefully this will give them and us time to go over the new rules and determine what this means."