N. Chicago med facility passes key Congress hurdle

A long-planned medical facility in North Chicago that will team the Navy and Veterans Affairs has passed a key hurdle in Congress, lawmakers announced Thursday.

The U.S. House approved the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, which gives the two military agencies authority to operate the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. The hospital will be the first-ever joint Navy and Veterans Affairs hospital.

The U.S. Senate must vote on the proposal, and it must be signed by President Obama.

The hospital's backers on Capitol Hill include U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park and U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington.