Governor Quinn Announces Investment in Rock Falls Community Health Center

ROCK FALLS - Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment to help expand Community Health Center services in Whiteside County. 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 people throughout Illinois.

"An investment in this community health center is an investment in the health and wellness of the people of Whiteside County," Governor Quinn said. "It is also an important step in ensuring that the people in the Rock Falls and Sterling communities have access to the healthcare they deserve."

The Whiteside County Health Department will receive $1 million to construct a 5,000-square-foot facility for the Whiteside County Community Health Clinic in Rock Falls. This will allow the department to provide additional healthcare services to the residents of Whiteside County.

"I am thrilled that we will be able to expand our clinic to facilitate more behavioral health services to the community," Whiteside County Community Health Clinic CEO Beth Fiorini said. "Presently staff is overcrowded and the ability to spread out will enable a more productive and efficient clinic."

The Community Health Center Construction Act, signed by Governor Quinn in 2009, provides funding to repair outdated buildings, convert vacant commercial space, build new health center facilities and purchase new equipment for additional services such as OB/GYN and dental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 investments 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 project is 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.