Silver Cross Creates Healthy Community Commission

Non-Profit Partnership to Focus on Health Care, Job Creation, Economic Opportunity

The Silver Cross Hospital Board of Trustees and local community leaders launched a new not-for-profit organization to be chaired by retiring Will County Board Member Margie Woods to create a stronger, healthier future for Joliet's East side and will chart the course for the Maple Road campus with the new Silver Cross Replacement Hospital on Route 6 and I-355 is approved.

The Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission will ensure long-term community input on the re-use of the existing Silver Cross campus.

In addition to exploring redevelopment options for the hospital site, the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission will work to coordinate and enhance existing programs for workforce development, education and business growth with a focus on health care and construction. The Commission will coordinate community-based health services with the urgent care center Silver Cross has planned for our Maple Road campus. This will include encouraging preventive care for conditions like heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

"Silver Cross has impressed me with their thoughtful plans for the future to bring better health care to the people of my District and all of Will County," said Margie Woods, Will County Board Member and Chairperson of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission. "Because their dedication to their patients is sincere, I know this Commission will bring forth positive plans to improve health care, employment opportunities and quality of life for Joliet's East side neighborhoods. I'm looking forward to working together with the hospital, our local leaders and community organizations to make this vision for the East side a reality."

"Since we first discussed building a replacement hospital, we at Silver Cross have been focused on the future of our current neighborhood on Joliet's East side," said Dr. Daniel Gutierrez, Chairman of the Silver Cross Hospital Board of Trustees. "Silver Cross has been here for more than 100 years, and we are absolutely committed to leaving a legacy that continues to build the health and strength of this community. It is our hope that the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission will enhance the lives of our neighbors, our families and the entire community for years to come.

"This is an exciting time for the East side," said Tony Ray, founding member of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission. ""We have a chance to take hold of this opportunity and create something really exciting. The Commission will look at ways to prepare our young people for the permanent jobs that will be available at the new hospital, and to prepare local businesses for the opportunities at both the new and old site. I can't wait to get started."

The Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission will be made up of 8 members with backgrounds in health care, education, job training, business and community development. The Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission will be chaired by retiring Will County Board Member Margie Woods. Other community members that have agreed to serve include Manuela Botello (Accountant for Troy School District 30-C), Reverend Herbert Brooks (St. John M.B. Church), Rev. Richard D. House (Pastor for Shiloh Baptist Church), Tony Ray (former WJOL-radio personality), David Velazquez (Merchants and Manufacturers Bank), Betty Washington (Joliet C.A.N.), and Howard Wright (State Farm Insurance).