The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Board, meeting in Bolingbrook yesterday, voted to deny the Certificate of Need aplications for two McHenry County hospital proposals before them.

This was a second attempt this year for approval from the State Board for both facility proposals.

Mercy Health Systems sought approval to build a $115 million, 70-bed hospital on property it owns in Crystal Lake, located on the southeast corner of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road. The Board voted 2-6 for the Crystal Lake project. Board members John Hayes and Alan Grieman cast the two positive votes.

Centegra Health System proposed a $233 million 128-bed hospital in Huntley at the corner of Reed and Haligus Roads. The Board split 4-4 on the vote for the Huntley project. The State Board requires five positive votes to approve a Certificate of Need for a facility.

Two other area hospitals welcomd the news. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital welcomd the Review Board's decision, stating "We thank the Review Board for its vote to deny these projects, and believe this supports our position that no new hospitals are needed in McHenry County," says Karen Lambert, president of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington.

"We look forward to continuing to serve the residents of northern Kane County and southeastern McHenry," Lambert said.

Sherman Health welcomed the votes by the Review Board. "We support the Review Board's 'no' vote on these projects. The Board's action supports our contention that these projcts would duplicate health care services that already exist for residents of norhtern Kane County and southeastern McHenry County," says Rick Floyd president and CEO of Sherman Health.

State Board member Kathryn Olson explained, "I am still concerned that a new hospital will hurt existing area hospitals and for that reason I reconfirm my no vote from this June."