14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-White Co. residents want hospital

White Co. residents want hospital

By Nicole DiDonato - bio | email
Posted by Jill Lyman - email

WHITE CO, IL (WFIE) - White county is waiting anxiously to see if Governor Pat Quinn will sign the capital spending bill.

In it, is $3 million set aside for the Phoenix Foundation's efforts at bringing a hospital back to White County.  

Greg Dietsch and his crew are walking around on a roof and climbing scaffolding.

"It is dangerous," said Dietsch. 

They are remodeling a two story home in Carmi. just across the street from the vacant hospital. For the work they do, it would be comforting to have the hospital up and running again.

"If something happens seriously, it may mean the difference between life and death," said Dietsch. 

"It is a big concern for all the citizens of White County," said White County Board President Ron Wooten.

White County is the largest county in the state of Illinois that employs people both directly and indirectly related to the oil industry, which is dangerous work.

Just last October, two men were killed and four others injured when an oil well exploded in Crossville.

"What are you going to do in an emergency if something happens? It may not only be here, but if something happens 20 or 30 miles away, to get you here and get you stabilized," said Wooten.

The Phoenix Foundation has been working hard to bring life back to the hospital building. They are hoping Governor Pat Quinn signs the capital spending bill. The $3 million in that bill would cover the refurnishing of the old hospital building.

The Phoenix Foundation has the full support of lawmakers. The concern is whether the state can afford it.

Senator John Jones tells 14 news he anticipates Governor Quinn will sign the bill by the end of this month, but it could take several months before White County sees that money.

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