Washington, DC – Joined by several other members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today met with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), Eric K. Shinseki, to discuss ways to improve services provided to Chicago-area veterans.  During a meeting at the North Chicago VA Medical Center, she petitioned the new Secretary to consider converting the Silver Cross hospital in Joliet into a veterans care facility, a move supported by several area veterans groups. 
 
           “Today’s meeting was a great chance to bring this important local priority to the Secretary’s attention,” said Biggert.  “He was very open to listening to ideas, and I think he understands that we in the delegation are committed to working together to improve care for veterans here in Illinois.  These are benefits we owe to those who risked their lives in defense of the freedoms we enjoy.”
 
           Currently, Silver Cross Hospital is scheduled to close in 2012 and move its operations to a new facility in New Lenox.  Local members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) have advocated for the building to become a VA medical facility in order to improve the quality and accessibility of veterans’ health services in the area.  Silver Cross hospital officials have expressed openness to the idea.
 
           “Silver Cross represents a rare opportunity to vastly improve the quality of care provided to veterans in our community,” said James Canup, the Commander of American Legion Koca Post #39 in Braidwood, Illinois and Chairman of the Silver Cross VA Hospital Committee.  “This is an idea worth pursuing, and I’m grateful that our local representatives are encouraging the VA to consider it.”
 
           Other topics discussed included concerns that local veterans have raised about issues ranging from finding parking to bed shortages to long commutes to VA facilities for many seeking care.  They also spoke about the importance of providing enough resources to ensure that soldiers coming home from overseas get all the benefits they have earned.
 
           “Especially in this tough economic climate, returning soldiers deserve our full support,” said Biggert.

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