Effingham receives increased medical care

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Medical care in Effingham just got a boost through exciting new building plans.

The Effingham Plan Commission approved designs for a new Sarah Bush Lincoln medical facility on Tuesday night. Construction is set to begin next year. Officials said it’s a testament to the long-term health of Effingham.

“I think it’s something the community is going to be proud of,” City Administrator Steve Miller said.

The new Sarah Bush Lincoln Healthcare Clinic designs included how large the building will be once finished.

“The first building is approximately 40,000 square feet, again, 20,000 per floor, two floors there,” says Miller.

The building in those plans will end up in a 12-acre plot of land right across from two other Sarah Bush Lincoln Clinics on North Maple Street. Miller said the building will fit right in the heart of healthcare in town.

“A lot of our medical facilities are kind of grouped together in one location, and we think this is going to be a really nice location for them as well. There’s a lot of green space, so we think it’s probably a good fit,” Miller said.

The newest clinic on the block will be largely medical offices and include a pharmacy. It’s right near SBL Effingham Clinic and American Red Cross Services, and just north of St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.

“You know, it’s a commitment on the hospital’s part, and we’re glad that they’re investing in everything here, and we’re glad that the Effingham residents have another clinic here in town, a nice clinic that they can obtain medical services from,” Miller said.

The vision also plays directly into the City’s comprehensive plan. It seeks to outline the community’s goals and policies for long-term development and planning to see Effingham thrive for the next 20 years.

“Economic development, we try to encourage that here in town as well. And we’re really excited when things get to break ground and new facilities go up,” Miller said.

Effingham officials want the community’s input on their comprehensive plan through an online survey .

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