SV to seek VA hospital for St. Margaret's location

SPRING VALLEY – Mayor Jim Narczewski has come up with an idea for what would best fill St. Margaret’s when the hospital moves to a new facility in 2011.

“What a VA hospital that would be!” Narczewski told aldermen at Monday’s city council meeting.

On Jan. 17, President and CEO Tim Muntz announced St. Margaret’s Health will move from its current location at 600 E. First St. in Spring Valley to a 50-acre site at the northwest corner of Route 6 and Dalzell Road.

Since learning of the move, Narczewski said much consideration has been given to what could be done with the existing facility, such as an assisted living facility or a nursing home.

Narczewski said the thought of using it for a VA hospital occurred to him, and when Peru resident Betty Bland called him with the same idea, he gave it more consideration.

“I’ve been considering it and talking to the aldermen and talking to people in town,” he said. “Our veterans have to go a long way. Why should they have to go that far if they have a facility like this?”

Currently local veterans must make the trip to Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago, or the Iowa City VA Medical Center.

Narczewski said he was going to call Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) to come down and tour the facility, as well as someone from the offices of Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) and Sen. Gary Dahl (R-Granville.)

“We’re going to try for a VA hospital,” he said. “We’re trying many avenues, and at least we can attempt to go there.”

Narczewski said the St. Margaret’s facility is in excellent condition.

“All one would have to do would be move in,” he said. “There’s a brand new surgical unit, the rooms have been completely remodeled, painted, and the parking is excellent.”

Narczewski said his only concern is that this is a relatively small area.

“But we wouldn’t just draw from LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby or Spring Valley,” he said. “You could go as far as Peoria, which would make it far more reasonable than going to Chicago or Iowa City.”