Springfield, IL— House Bill 1327, sponsored by State Sen. Linda Holmes (D – Aurora), was signed into law by Governor Patrick Quinn this week. This legislation clears the way for a Freestanding Emergency Center (FEC) in Plainfield.

“I am thrilled that the Governor has advanced this measure,” Holmes said. “Our community has been in need of additional resources for a long time and this will greatly benefit individuals in need of emergency services.”

The new law extends the timeline for Freestanding Emergency Centers to receive a license to operate.

“Thanks to the work of Senator Holmes, Edward is assured it will be able to provide a higher level of emergency care in Plainfield and surrounding communities, said Pam Davis, President and CEO of Edward Hospital. “This common sense legislation improves the quality of healthcare for Senator Holmes’ constituents and residents of the region served by Edward.”

The new $5.7 million facility will be open year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will provide access to a higher level of emergency care for Plainfield area residents. Additionally, the new facility will accommodate medical helicopters and basic life support ambulance traffic. An advanced cardiac life support ambulance will be on-site year-round to transport cardiac and critical care patients to Edward Hospital in Naperville or Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora.

“This facility will have a tremendous impact in our community,” Holmes continued. “Now we will have quality emergency healthcare that is readily available to our residents. Many lives will be saved because of the proximity of this new center. This is an important step to getting a fully operational hospital in the Plainfield area.”

More than 20,000 patients from Plainfield and parts of Naperville, Bolingbrook, Yorkville and Oswego already use the Plainfield immediate care center each year. This number is expected to increase with this construction of the new Freestanding Emergency Center.