Braidwood Mayor Supports Planned Silver Cross Mental Health Facility

NEW LENOX, IL - The planned $22 million project to construct a 100-bed behavioral health facility at the Silver Cross Hospital campus in New Lenox has its newest supporter. It’s Braidwood Mayor Jim Vehrs.

Vehrs announced Monday he plans to support the idea of bringing a mental health facility to Will County, citing the “unmet need for both special psychiatric and substance abuse services” in a letter of support to the Illinois Health Services Review Board.

Silver Cross is partnering with a national firm on the planned project, according to an earlier report from the Daily Southtown. The building is planned to be two stories, 68,000 square feet and on five acres at Route 6 and Interstate 355.

"This is going to be a vast improvement for mental health services in Will County," Silver Cross Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Pawlak has said.

Vehrs said he contacted several legislators - including President Donald Trump - with a formal request for help and support for the project.

The project previously received support from New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann.

"I welcome this expansion," Baldermann said in the Southtown article. "I am confident in their ability to provide a much, much needed service not only for the residents of New Lenox but all of Will County."

Photo via Silver Cross Hospital