Mercy Health System Crystal Lake hospital plans, Blagojevich Rezko Levine Obama haunted by past

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

 “I wear the chain I forged in life,”…the Ghost of Christmas Past, “A Christmas Carol”

Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and Barack Obama are once again being visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past.

From the Chicago Tribune February 16, 2011.

“Centegra Health System’s plan to build a hospital in Huntley was subjected for the first time Wednesday to public reaction, and it generally was split between other hospitals saying the proposal would drive up health costs and local people believing it was needed and wanted.

The public hearing at Huntley Village Hall was moderated by two officials of the Illinois Health Facilities and Service Board, which must approve any new medical proposal. The board later will hold a hearing on a competing plan by Mercy Health System to build a hospital in nearby Crystal Lake.”

“Mercy Health System is proposing to build in Crystal Lake at Route 31 and Three Oaks Road. Its hospital would include 100 acute-care medical and surgery beds, 20 obstetric and eight intensive care units, an emergency department and a focus on geriatrics. Mercy also is touting its proposed multi-specialty clinic of 45 physicians that would be attached to the hospital.

Mercy’s project would cost $200 million and be paid for with $176 million in bonds and $20 million in cash and securities. The hospital has a planned opening of early 2014.

This isn’t the first time Mercy officials have sought a certificate of need for a hospital in Crystal Lake.

A proposal for 70 beds was shot down by the state board in 2003. Mercy tried again in April 2004 and was awarded the certificate as board members became the target of a federal corruption investigation.

A few months later, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and state lawmakers revamped the board. The Tribune reported in June 2005 that then-board Vice Chairman Stuart Levine planned to split a $1.5 million kickback with former Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko from contractor Jacob Kiferbaum, who was to build the hospital.

Judge Maureen McIntyre revoked Mercy’s permit for the proposed hospital in May 2005. Mercy officials, never charged with any wrongdoing, did not appeal.

The state health facilities board tentatively plans to vote on both proposals May 10.”

Read more:

http://triblocal.com/crystal-lake/2011/02/16/opinion-divided-on-centegra-hospital-plan/