Silver Cross in the News

Hospital move deserves support
October 10, 2007

Many of us have been asked to write letters of endorsement for Silver Cross Hospital's relocation plan. Putting your name behind someone or something should not be taken lightly.

Silver Cross has been an important part of Will County for more than 100 years. The relocation and expansion hospital planned for an opening in the summer of 2011 would bring top-quality, state-of-the-art health care closer to all in greater Will County. The proposed location of this $400 million, 600,000-square-feet replacement hospital would be at the intersection of U.S. 6 and the Interstate 355 extension in New Lenox.

The construction of the replacement hospital project would create more than 1,000 new jobs and help spur economic development in the Will County area. Silver Cross will also be developing a reuse plan for their current 50-acre campus, which will provide hundreds of jobs at that construction site.

The proposed replacement hospital will have larger, private, family-friendly rooms so that patient care will have a more personalized feel. Silver Cross will be able to cut down on wait times, which is vitally important to busy families. Children's Memorial Hospital will be bringing their pediatric expertise to Will County through an enhanced partnership with Silver Cross. Any parent who has experienced the need for care through Children's Memorial Hospital will know how important it will be to have their children treated close to home, rather than 40 miles away in Chicago.

The city of Joliet has expressed concern over Silver Cross Hospital's plan. Joliet is a city with a great deal of pride and a long list of accomplishments. I understand the emotions attached to this project. I urge all elected officials to band together with Silver Cross Hospital to ensure the needs of all those concerned are met.
I encourage everyone to send a letter of support for this relocation hospital proposed by Silver Cross. There are sample letters available at the Village Hall for your convenience, or you can visit the Silver Cross Web site at www.silvercross.org to find more updates and sample letters.

Tim Baldermann is the mayor of New Lenox.