Silver Cross provides a very misleading statistic when they state 55.4% of ambulance arrivals come from communities outside of Joliet. First of it means that 44.6% come from Joliet, (a very big percentage Joliet has a very big need for services) but then we must look at the other zip codes to determine where the ambulance arrivals are coming from? Well once again I must reiterate the majority of the zip codes are better served by the Joliet East Side location via the Briggs Street Corridor. Zip codes are not absolutes, you must look at the overall street address region. These zip codes include areas not part of the 44.6%: Lockport (Some parts of Lockport are closer to the old site, some to the new), Wilmington, Elwood, Plainfield, Minooka, Coal City, Braidwood,etc.. If you add these areas then the majority of the population is closer to the old Joliet site. Approximately 6 minutes closer for Joliet East Side citizens according to documented evidence that is found in the CON document. 6 minutes in an emergency could mean life or death. Also that 6 minute travel study was done before I-355 opened, now times will be much worse especially during rush hours. Some populations may be neutral to a hospital move but clearly you can see that the Silver Cross statistic is very misleading. Neutral in time for some residents does not justify a half a billion dollar expenditure. Do a Map Quest search for directions from the zips codes to each site (1200 maple rd, joliet and 600 maple rd new lenox), Just add them up yourself, vast majority are closer to the Joliet Facilty! (Over 56% closer to Joliet site, 37% closer to proposed New Lenox site, and 7% cannot be determined)Updated March 25, 2008 martylepacek@gmail.com
