Thousands tour new Joliet hospital

JOLIET — Thousands of visitors have gotten a glimpse of the new Silver Cross Hospital in suburban Joliet.

The Southtown Star reports that thousands of employees and members of the public walked through the replacement hospital on Sunday. Hospital officials offered 45-minute walking tours that took visitors through the emergency room, imaging and a rehabilitation center.

Visitors on Sunday included Elizabeth Farmer. The pregnant Lockport woman hopes to have her second baby at the new facility in March.

Construction began on the $370 million replacement hospital in 2009. It’s a 6-story facility that will have 289-beds.

The new hospital opens Feb. 26.

Hospital officials say the health center will also feature new technologies like a robotic surgical system.