Business & Tech
City Council Votes to Support Mercy Hospital
Some council members looking for Crystal Lake hospital, regardless of company
The approved a resolution to support a hospital as requested by Mercy Health System Feb. 15. The proposed $200 million hospital is to be located at Route 31 and Three Oaks Road.
Mercy Health System Vice Presidents Richard Gruber and Dan Colby told the council it wanted the city’s support in order to apply for a Certificate of Need from the state of Illinois. Colby said it was also asking Lake in the Hills, Cary, Algonquin and McHenry County for support as well.
Once approved by the state and area localities, building the 356,000-square-foot facility would create approximately 800 construction jobs; and about 800 permanent jobs once building is completed. Forty-five physicians would be employed at the hospital.
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There was some concern over the purpose of the resolution by board members. Councilwoman Cathy Ferguson abstained from voting, stating the council did not need to provide support for Mercy to obtain a Certificate of Need from the state. Councilwoman Carolyn Shofield made it clear that approving the resolution did not guarantee Mercy Health System the go-ahead to build the facility; that this was only a resolution supporting the possibility for a hospital in the city.
“I don’t believe it is our position to choose this or that,” she said. “From your standpoint I just hope you’re not looking for the resolution supporting the potential of this coming and that it’s not an all-or-nothing.”
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“We’re not asking you to put yourself one project over another,” Gruber said.
Councilman Ralph Dawson was enthusiastic about the resolution, whether it be for Mercy or another hospital.
“We have always needed a hospital in Crystal Lake and we will always need one,” he said.
Mayor Aaron Shepley excused himself from the discussion and vote as he is an employee of Mercy Health System. The board voted Councilman Brett Hopkins to fill in for the mayor.
Gruber and Colby were pleased with the vote.
“From our perspective it’s important to have the council have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the project. There’s overwhelming support for the project by the council,” Gruber said. “The residents of Crystal Lake are hopefully going to have healthcare close to home in the future.”
