Mayor Roger Claar is rallying residents to help get support for a proposed full-service hospital near Interstate Highway 55.
At a Village Board meeting Tuesday, Claar urged residents to write letters to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board supporting a new 138-bed hospital. Residents can speak out on the proposal at a 10 a.m. March 18 public hearing in Village Hall, 375 W. Briarcliff Rd.
“This is actually huge for Bolingbrook,” Claar said. He said it would boost local businesses and the economy.
Adventist Health System Midwest Region is seeking to build the $130 million facility as an expansion to the Bolingbrook Medical Center it currently operates at 400 Medical Center Drive.
A similar facility was proposed for the site in 1977, but dropped in favor of the smaller medical center. Hospital officials now believe projected growth in the area will support a hospital.
“We think there is a definite need,” Claar said.
Bolingbrook Hospital would include Level II trauma capability, making emergency care available to Bolingbrook and Romeoville residents. Currently, residents travel up to 33 minutes to receive care, according to hospital officials.
The hospital would include 106 beds for medical and surgical services, 20 beds for obstetrics and postpartum services and 12 beds for an intensive care unit.
The state board is expected to review the hospital’s application in April. If approved, it would take three years to build.