Health board rejects Lake Co. hospitals
Leaders in Lindenhurst and Round Lake say they are disappointed, but not surprised, by the state's decision Tuesday to deny both hospital proposals for northwestern Lake County.
For nearly a year, both communities have hoped to be the site of the county's first new hospital in 30 years.
Now that won't happen unless drastic changes can be made in the next six months by Vista Health System or Advocate Health Care.
"It is just amazing to me," Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes said. "Whether it's Lindenhurst or Round Lake, this area desperately needs a hospital. I don't know what it is going to take for the health facilities board to get that through their pumpkin heads."
The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board issued an intent to deny both hospital proposals. Vista wants to build a 140-bed, $100 million hospital in Lindenhurst. Advocate wants to open a 144-bed, $251 million hospital in Round Lake.
The medical groups have six months to address concerns raised by the board. If Vista or Advocate return and are again denied, the proposals die.
"We respect the planning board's decision," said Vista President Barbara J. Martin. "We remain committed to doing what's right for Lake County by building the first new hospital in the county in almost 30 years and improving access to health care for all Lake County residents."
Kelly Jo Golson, vice president of communications for Advocate, said the group also is committed to Lake County. However, because of confidential ongoing merger negotiations with Condell Medical Center, they could not discuss future plans.
Lake County Board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt called the planning board's decision disgusting and irresponsible.
"It really is unfortunate that one of the fastest-growing areas in Lake County, which already has a large population, is completely shut out," Schmidt said.
"The free market should be allowed to run. If a hospital wants to take a chance and build in northwestern Lake County, some board appointed by the governor shouldn't be allowed to stop it."
Both proposals took a hit last week when the state issued a report to the planning board saying there is already an excess of 209 hospital beds in the area.
The report also showed seven hospitals within 30 minutes of Vista's proposed hospital and five hospitals within 30 minutes of Advocate's proposed facility. The drive times were calculated using the Web site MapQuest.
Lake Villa Rescue Chief J.R. Halek said he plans to call the governor's office to get some answers as to how both projects could be denied.
"I can't even fathom how people who don't live here can judge what we need in Lake County," Halek said. "They base their decisions on Google and MapQuest while the people of Lake County suffer. It is unbelievable that in 2008 we can't get hospitals where we need them."
The fallout from Tuesday's decision affects more than just health care in northwestern Lake County. Both Lindenhurst and Round Lake officials were counting on the new hospitals to spur commercial development.
In Lindenhurst, a hospital would have also increased the tax base because Vista is a for-profit company.
Gentes said a hospital would have brought a lot of commercial development and professional offices to Round Lake. He said he hopes Advocate's proposal to build an immediate-care center in the village will be approved so some of those projects can still come to fruition.
"I'm just flabbergasted," he said. "Here's two entities, Vista and Advocate, willing to spend $100 million because they recognize the market need, but a bunch of bureaucrats say no. It's ludicrous."