Friends of Silver CrossGreat news out of Silver Cross Hospital and the Healthy Community Commission...Silver Cross Commits $8 Million to Prepare Current Silver Cross Site for Future DevelopmentJust yesterday, the Silver Cross Board of Directors and the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission announced that it has allocated $8 million for future development of the current site if the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board approves Silver Cross’ plans to build a replacement hospital. The allocation would be used for building demolition and site leveling, if required, which will bring new economic and job opportunities to Joliet’s East Side and beyond. “As always, we remain committed to our roots, and we fully intend on being a partner with the community in redeveloping our current campus to begin a new chapter for the residents of Joliet’s East Side,” said Paul Pawlak, CEO of Silver Cross Hospital. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the Healthy Community Commission for its thoughtful input and collaboration with us to explore a number of opportunities for positive development at our current site,” said Pawlak. Silver Cross Hospital commissioned real estate professionals and economists to evaluate the current site and create redevelopment concepts that would benefit the community. The Silver Cross Board also wanted to ensure that the replacement hospital would improve access to health care for the poor. Pawlak said their exhaustive review concluded the best way to meet the mission of all current and future patients, especially the poor and uninsured, was to build the replacement facility. “I am very pleased Silver Cross has delivered on its promise by committing significant resources to plan for the redevelopment of the current site,” said Margie Woods, Chair of the Healthy Community Commission. “Silver Cross remains committed to our community and the Healthy Community Commission will work in partnership with the hospital to bring forth positive plans to improve health care, employment opportunities and quality of life for Joliet’s East Side.” As part of the redevelopment plans, there will be a healthcare facility on the current site that will provide urgent care to community residents to increase access to healthcare in Joliet and Will County. In addition to providing immediate care, this facility will focus on promoting wellness, preventive care and healthy living for the East Side. “For 100 years, Silver Cross has remained committed to serving all of our patients in Joliet and beyond and that commitment will not change,” said Pawlak. “We at Silver Cross remain dedicated to building the continued health and strength of our East Side neighborhood and we will work in partnership with the Healthy Community Commission to help see the community’s long-term vision for growth and development come to fruition.” Some of the other development options, in addition to an urgent care facility, being explored by Silver Cross and the Healthy Community Commission include:
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring positive change to our friends and family on the East Side,” said David Velazquez, Secretary/Treasurer of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission. “We finally have the chance to work together and bring much-needed development and jobs opportunities to make our community a better place to live, work and raise our families. Silver Cross’ $8 million commitment is a huge step in the right direction and I am so excited to get started.” Redevelopment of Silver Cross’ current site has also sparked the interest of area legislators, including Representative Brent Hassert (R-Romeoville), and the Will County Council American Legion who support plans for a Veteran’s hospital at the current site if Silver Cross gets approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board for its replacement hospital. Please address your letter to: Jeffrey S. Mark, Executive Secretary Read past Friends of Silver Cross messages 
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