In the News

News Sun, March 19, 2010

Dale Galassie, former longtime executive director of the Lake County Health Department, has been appointed chairman of the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

His stewardship follows the restructuring of the powerful panel, formerly known as the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which was shaken by corruption charges against former member Stuart Levine.

State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest, who helped lead a task force in restructuring the Review Board and "reforming the whole system," said she is very pleased with the appointment of Galassie by the governor's office earlier this month.

"I can't imagine anyone more qualified or dedicated to health care for the citizens of Illinois," Garrett said Thursday. "I'm excited because he is from Lake County, but even more so because he's perfect for the board."

Galassie was appointed to the volunteer board in December and was named chairman March 1. His term runs through 2013.

Galassie said he was interested in doing social service volunteering in retirement and felt compelled to accept this post, in part because he had always felt more public health experience was needed on the board.

"For years I had lobbied with public officials that there should be a public health presence on the board," he said.

Galassie said he believes he brings a unique perspective to the board and looks forward to working with the group, which, with several new appointments, will soon be up to its full strength of nine members for the first time in years.

"I think it's a good, rounded group of individuals, who are all volunteers," he said. "It's a commitment to social justice."

The board's primary function is to approve or disapprove applications for the construction of new or expanded health-care facilities.

In a 2-2 vote, the short-handed board early last year denied Vista Health System's proposal to build a $106 million hospital on Grand Avenue near Deep Lake Road in Lindenhurst.

Galassie indicated that from his perspective, at least, another request for such a project may be well received.

"Certainly, the statistics still support the need in Lake County, especially western Lake County," he said.

Galassie, of Lake Forest, also said he is excited about working with the board because it provides him an opportunity to help provide access to care for the uninsured and underinsured, a main priority during his 27-year career with the Health Department.

The governor's office has made it clear that following some embarrassing issues, the state is looking for a clean operation, Galassie said.

"They want everything to be full disclosure, light of day and above board," he said.

Former board member Levine, a Highland Park businessman, pleaded guilty to corruption and fraud charges involving Tony Rezko, and became a key witness in Rezko's trial.

During his testimony, Levine told jurors he worked closely with Rezko and others to engineer the board's approval of Mercy Health System's proposed Crystal Lake hospital on April 21, 2004. Levine said he told Rezko that the approval could lead to significant campaign contributions for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.