UPDATE: Area Residents Show Support at Hospital Hearing

Standing in the crowd, Michelle Green described herself as “just a mom” but she felt it was important to travel from her Crystal Lake home to Joliet to support Centegra Health System’s proposed Huntley Hospital.

“I know how important it is for community members to support this,” said Green, who has worked in the hospital field in the past.

She wore a green sticker to support Centegra. Green was among an estimated 250 people who packed a conference room at a Holiday Inn in Joliet on Tuesday morning for the Illinois Public Health Facilities and Services Review Board meeting to hear Centegra’s Certificate of Need application.

Also attending were officials with Mercy Health System. It, too, seek to build a new hospital but in Crystal Lake.

Green stood in the back of the room, while to her left there was a large contingency of Sherman Hospital employees. Sherman Hospital, in Elgin, is opposing both Centegra’s and Mercy’s plans.

Christine Priester, spokeswoman, said Sherman will have four speakers at today’s hearing.

Stay up to date on the state's Health Facilities and Services Review Board hearing in Joliet by visiting Patch's live blog.