Study says DuPage should keep convalescent center

The DuPage convalescent center should not be sold or closed and the county should adopt a capital improvement strategy for the facility, according to a report commissioned by county board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom.

A panel of health, building and finance experts created the report released Tuesday.

The convalescent center in Wheaton is home to 310 residents needing long-term care. The center also supports 50 residents who need short-term care.

With an annual operating budget of $32.5 million, the center employs 506 people - 374 of whom are full-time. The county covers about $2.4 million in operating costs each year, but pays all capital improvement costs.

Schillerstrom appointed the panel in February 2008 to examine options relating to the center's future.

Critics had suggested the county sell the center to a private company instead of investing tax dollars in the operation. The Civic Federation, a taxpayer watchdog group based in Chicago, suggested as much in its report on the county's budget last year.

However, residents of the convalescent center complained that privatizing the facility would reduce their level of care. The report supports those concerns.

Jim Huck, chairman of the panel, said private ownership likely would phase out beds dedicated to Medicaid patients because there's little profit from such patients.

"The mission should be to continue the center's focus on the underserved and maintain the quality of care, which is first rate," Huck said.

The panel also pointed out immediate capital needs in its report. It suggested a $6 million kitchen renovation and $14.8 million in basic maintenance repairs.

"The report further stresses the need for DuPage to invest in critical capital improvements that need to be made immediately so we can continue to provide these critical programs and services," Schillerstrom said.