Silver Cross in the News
$8 Million Marked for Hospital Site: Silver Cross Proposal JOLIET—The Silver Cross Board of Directors and the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission announced Tuesday that it has allocated $8 million for future development of the current site if the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board approves Silver Cross’ plans to build a replacement hospital. The allocation would be used for building demolition and site leveling, if required, which will bring new economic and job opportunities to Joliet’s East Side and beyond. “As always, we remain committed to our roots, and we fully intend on being a partner with the community in redeveloping our current campus to begin a new chapter for the residents of Joliet’s East Side,” said Paul Pawlak, CEO of Silver Cross Hospital. “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank the Healthy Community Commission for its thoughtful input and collaboration with us to explore a number of opportunities for positive development at our current site,” said Pawlak. Silver Cross Hospital commissioned real estate professionals and economists to evaluate the current site and create redevelopment concepts that would benefit the community. The Silver Cross Board also wanted to ensure that the replacement hospital would improve access to health care for the poor. Pawlak said its review concluded the best way to meet the mission of all current and future patients, especially the poor and uninsured, was to build the replacement facility. “I am very pleased Silver Cross has delivered on its promise by committing significant resources to plan for the redevelopment of the current site,” said Margie Woods, commission chairwoman. “Silver Cross remains committed to our community and the Healthy Community Commission will work in partnership with the hospital to bring forth positive plans to improve health care, employment opportunities and quality of life for Joliet’s East Side.” As part of the redevelopment plans, there will be a health-care facility on the current site that will provide urgent care to community residents to increase access to health care in Joliet and Will County. In addition to providing immediate care, this facility will focus on promoting wellness, preventive care and healthy living for the East Side. “For 100 years, Silver Cross has remained committed to serving all of our patients in Joliet and beyond and that commitment will not change,” said Pawlak. Some of the other development options being explored are:
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring positive change to our friends and family on the East Side,” said David Velazquez, secretary/treasurer of the commission. Redevelopment of Silver Cross’ current site has also sparked the interest of area legislators, including state Rep. Brent Hassert, R-Romeoville, and the Will County Council American Legion who support plans for a veterans’ hospital at the site. 
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