Emergency Medical Center May Come to Frankfort

Silver Cross Hospital and Riverside Medical Center have entered competing proposals for an emergency center in Frankfort, according to a report from Sun-Times Media.

The Silver Cross facility would cost $8.8 million to build and would be located at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and 93rd Avenue on a property that the hospital already owns, the report states. The center would have four treatment rooms and would be open 24 hours a day.

According to Sun-Times Media, Silver Cross is $400 million in debt after relocating its hospital in February from Joliet to New Lenox. However, Silver Cross spokewoman Tracy Simons told Sun-Times Media that the hospital would not need to borrow money to build the center.

Riverside, located in Kankakee, is proposing a center with six treatment rooms at 23100 S. La Grange Rd., says Sun-Times Media. The center is estimated to cost $10.3 million.

According to Sun-Times Media:

“Silver Cross filed an application for the emergency center with state regulators on Nov. 21, less than two weeks after Riverside notified the state of its plans.”

On the same day, Silver Cross Chief Executive Officer Paul Pawlak expressed opposition to the competing plan in a letter to Riverside Chief Executive Officer Phillip Kambic, Sun-Times Media reports.

According to Sun-Times Media, Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest sent a similar letter to Riverside.

Both letters are currently on file with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which has the authority to determine the future of the proposed projects.

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