Hearings Set for Centegra, Mercy Applications for New Hospital

The new hospital debate in McHenry County continues with a major hearing Tuesday that could decide the fate of two potential new hospitals.

What’s at stake? A new hospital in either town translates into millions in economic development and hundreds of jobs in areas still suffering high unemployment rates due to the recession.

As the members of the Illinois Facilities and Services Review Board prep to hear proposals for two McHenry County hospitals, Huntley Patch has broken down the debate for readers.

The volume of information about both Centegra Health System’s Certificate of Need application for a 128-bed hospital in Huntley and Mercy Health System’s CON for a similar hospital in Crystal Lake is enormous, with hours and hours of testimony and thousands of letters in support and opposition.

The board may also hear additional testimony that could kick the issue to its next agenda.

Centegra’s and Mercy’s CON applications to the state board have become contentious and have launched a battle of hospitals with numerous hospitals, including Sherman Hospital in Elgin and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, opposing both plans.

The issue is complex with lots of health care terminology and methodology frequently used, but we've broken down the information to bring you the highlights of what has become a battle between hospitals: