Centegra, Huntley Disappointed by Review Board's Decision

Harry Leopold had to catch the bus back from Joliet to Sun City Huntley Tuesday evening after a disappointing day as he watched Centegra Health System’s plans for a Huntley hospital rejected by a state review board.

“I was hoping it would pass,” the Huntley trustee said. “Our staff support it, our trustees supported it and the residents of Huntley support it.”

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board did not support the plan. Members voted 8-1 to issue an “intent to deny” notice to Centegra. Earlier in the afternoon, the board issued the same decision to Mercy Health System’s proposed Crystal Lake hospital.

But Leopold doesn’t feel all is lost.

“Of course, they will try again,” he said. “Eventually we know it will be needed. It is a shame we have to react to the need rather than anticipate the need.”

Centegra CEO Michael Eesley said he and his team were “a little surprised by the outcome.” Centegra’s application was based on the state’s criteria for a Certificate of Need to build a 128-bed hospital in Huntley.

Earlier in the afternoon, he testified that the area is experience rapid population growth that warrants additional bed space. Centegra’s CON application called for more than the state’s recommended number of beds but Eesley said the hospital wanted to be proactive rather than reactive to the growth.

But the board was not convinced a new hospital is needed. The members voiced similar concerns about Centegra’s plan as they did with Mercy’s plan.

Board member Robert J. Hilgenbrink said he felt several of the criteria had not been met and he worried about a duplication of services.

Following the vote, Eesley met with reporters but was optimistic Centigram would have better luck the next time around. He said the hospital will reevaluate its application and come back again to seek approval.

For more coverage, including today's blog on the meeting,