HSHS St. Elizabeth’s expansion proposal rejected, hospital will try again
BOLINGBROOK – HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital today was issued an “intent to deny” after one member of the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted “no” on the hospital’s proposal to build a replacement hospital and ambulatory care center along Interstate 64 and Green Mount Road in St. Clair County.
St. Elizabeth’s is required to obtain a Certificate of Need to replace its current obsolete hospital, which was built in the 1950s, with a modern hospital that will be built on a 114-acre campus with an adjoining ambulatory care center.
Under state rules, five affirmative votes are needed for a CON approval. Only five HFSRB members attended today’s meeting and of those four voted for the project.
“While we’re disappointed that only five Review Board members were present we are optimistic that when more members are present we will get the five affirmative votes we need for approval. We hope to have our project heard by the full board at an upcoming meeting,” said Maryann Reese, president and CEO of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
The intent to deny ruling by the HFSRB board means that a second hearing will be required where board members will have to vote to approve or deny the project. St. Elizabeth’s plans to address the questions raised by board members at today’s hearing and restate its case at a future board meeting.
“It is not unusual for a project of this size to receive additional recommendations and requests from the board. We appreciate the staff’s findings that the discontinuation of our current hospital is warranted and that a replacement hospital is necessary to serve the community,” added Reese.
St. Elizabeth’s proposed replacement hospital would include 144 private patient rooms, an emergency department, state-of-the-art operating rooms, an advanced intensive care unit, and inpatient rehabilitation. St. Elizabeth’s also plans to offer a wide array of inpatient and outpatient services at the new facility, including cancer care, modern birthing suites, telehealth consultations featuring stroke care and heart care.
For more information on the project, visit www.supportsteliz.org.
