Governor Quinn Announces Investment to Improve Community Health Center in Rockford

ROCKFORD - Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment to help Crusader Community Health acquire and renovate a building for a community health center in Rockford. The funds, included in Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, will allow the state to reduce healthcare spending and save taxpayers money. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have access to quality healthcare and improve the health and well-being of the people of Illinois.

"An investment in this community health center in Rockford is an investment in the health and wellness of the people of Winnebago County," Governor Quinn said. "It is also a critical step in transforming our healthcare system and ensuring that everyone has access to the services they need."

Crusader Community Health will receive $3 million to acquire and renovate a building on Alpine Street in Rockford. The new facility will include 18 exam rooms to provide additional healthcare services to the residents of Winnebago County.

"Today is a great day for our community," Gordon Eggers, President and CEO of Crusader Community Health said. "On behalf of Crusader Community Health, I thank Governor Quinn for investing $3 million of capital construction funds into Rockford. The grant money will thoughtfully be used to develop the former Brookside Clinic into Crusaders sixth major facility. The central Rockford location will provide additional access to affordable and high quality healthcare for all."

"These funds are an investment in the health and well-being of the people of Winnebago County, particularly those who are underinsured or uninsured," State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) said. "Community health centers such as Crusader are so vital to our community, and the state is committed to the low-income and high-risk patients in the Rockford area."

The Community Health Center Construction Act, signed by Governor Quinn in 2009, provides funding to repair outdated buildings, convert vacant commercial space, build new health center facilities and purchase new equipment for additional services such as OB/GYN and dental care. The funds are administered through the state's Capital Development Board. In addition to providing needed healthcare facilities, the grants are expected to create about 215 construction jobs.

Community health centers are not-for-profit entities created by Congress to meet the healthcare needs of underserved communities and high-risk patients. These centers fill a void by providing care for those whom other providers often do not serve, including the low-income, uninsured or homeless; or those with HIV/AIDS, substance abuse problems or special medical needs.

The Community Health Center projects are part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.