Vista tries for Lindenhurst ER
Determined to have a presence in Lindenhurst, Vista Health System has a backup plan if the state rejects its proposal to build a hospital in the village.
The health-care provider has filed a letter of intent with the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board to establish a freestanding emergency center on land it already owns on Grand Avenue.
"The people of western Lake County are in need of emergency services," Barbara J. Martin, president and CEO of Vista Health System, said in a written statement. "When faced with that golden hour, access is paramount. Combined with our current infrastructure, the standalone emergency center would have significant benefits."
Vista is the latest hospital to express interest in opening a freestanding emergency center since the state passed legislation in May allowing the facilities.
In June, Advocate Health Care filed a similar letter of intent with the state to establish an emergency center at Route 20 and Wilson Road in Round Lake.
Lake Forest Hospital also is hoping to convert its Acute Care Center to a freestanding emergency center in Grayslake.
Specifics of the three projects are not yet available since the state planning board is refusing to look at any of the medical groups' applications.
Jeffrey Mark, executive secretary of the planning board, said all centers are contingent on board approval.
The problem is, Mark said, the board doesn't have rules in place to govern which of these types of projects get approved.
"I'm hoping to introduce some rules next week," Mark said. "I expect they will follow the format of our rules for new hospitals and look at the existing services in the community. Until those rules are established, though, we will not consider any applications."
Advocate has been Vista's adversary in recent months with both health care providers vying to build Lake County's first new hospital in 30 years.
While Vista wants to open a 140-bed hospital in Lindenhurst, Advocate wants a similar-size hospital in Round Lake. Both proposals have undergone scrutiny by the public and the state during numerous hearings and meetings.
The planning board will hear both requests again Tuesday during its monthly meeting in Chicago. It's unknown if a final decision will be made that day.
When Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes heard about Advocate's plan to build an emergency room in his town, he said it was a good first step in providing quality health care to the area.
Lindenhurst Mayor Susan Lahr feels the same.
"Vista has been working with the village and has presented a number of things to us," Lahr said. "Whether it is medical office buildings or an expanded emergency center, we're fully supportive of whatever Vista is doing for our community."