Judge Upholds State's Approval of Centegra Hospital-Huntley

A Will County Circuit Court judge on Friday upheld the state health and services board's approval of Centegra's plans to build a 128-bed hospital in Huntley. 

Circuit Court Judge Bobbi Petrungaro on Nov. 8 upheld the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board’s 2012 decision, ending a yearlong lawsuit from opponents Mercy Alliance, Sherman Hospital and Advocate Hospitals, according to a Centegra news release. 

The ruling clears the way for the construction phase of the project to move forward. Centegra Hospital-Huntley is the second new hospital to be approved in the state of Illinois in the last 30 years, the release states.

“We appreciate the judge’s thoughtful review of the state’s decision and look forward to moving into the construction phase of our Centegra Hospital-Huntley project,” said Michael S. Eesley, chief executive officer of Centegra Health System. 

“In a comprehensive, 16-page decision, the judge ruled in our favor on every substantive and procedural issue raised by the three separate complaints of our opponents Mercy Alliance, Advocate Hospital and Health Corporation and Sherman Hospital, now Advocate Sherman Hospital. The judge also dismissed all three of their complaints.”

Eesley said Centegra Health System appreciates the support it received from more than 16,000 community members, businesses and regional government officials during the three-year approval process for Centegra Hospital-Huntley. 

The health system first announced its plans to build the hospital on its existing Huntley health campus in December 2010. The state approved the project in July 2012, according to the release.

“Throughout this process, we have always known that Centegra Hospital-Huntley is the best way to address the health care needs of the growing communities of southern McHenry County and northern Kane County,” Eesley said. 

“We have received the village of Huntley’s unwavering support and await final Planned Unit Development approval so we can begin construction. As we look ahead, Centegra Hospital-Huntley is an integral part of our plans to address the health care needs of our community.”

Centegra Hospital-Huntley will be a 360,000 square foot, 128-bed facility that offers state-of-the-art technology, private patient rooms and a bright and airy architectural design intended to facilitate wellness and recovery, the release states. 

The hospital will feature a full-service emergency department, Level II nursery, non-invasive cardiology services, a dedicated women’s center and a helipad for transporting patients with the most critical needs.

“The expansion of services to Huntley will further enhance the services we already provide at our hospitals in Woodstock and McHenry,” Eesley said. “The approval of Centegra Hospital-Huntley strengthens our health system’s future by allowing us to expand our integrated health care network for the benefit of our growing community.”

It is estimated that more than 800 construction jobs will be created to build Centegra Hospital-Huntley, having a total economic impact of $152 million on area communities, the release states.

An additional $45 million is expected to go into the community through professional salaries and the purchase of medical equipment and furnishings. Centegra Health System expects to employ about 1,000 Associates at Centegra Hospital-Huntley.

“We plan to break ground in the spring and we are on track to treat our first patients in 2016,” Eesley said. “During this three-year process, we remained confident this hospital project was in the best interest of the residents who call our community home.”