Converting Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet — either partially or completely — to a hospital dedicated to veterans has numerous hurdles to clear before ever becoming a reality, elected officials and veterans said.

Because the hospital’s governing board received permission this summer from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board to build a new 600,000-square-foot, $400 million hospital in New Lenox, many elected officials, governing boards and local veterans have publicly backed the idea to convert the hospital to a veterans hospital.

Over the past few months, several elected officials have publicly supported the plan. They include U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-13th District; Will County Chief Executive Larry Walsh; Joliet Mayor Arthur Schultz; the Will County Board; state Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi, D-43rd District; and state Rep. Brent Hassert, R-85th District.

The Will County Board adopted a resolution supporting redeveloping the hospital site for a veterans hospital, said Wayne McMillan, Will County Board member from District 4.

However, some said the plan is a longshot, including McMillan.

“I would favor converting the existing site to a veterans hospital, but there are still so many questions that need to be answered,” McMillan said.

Questions include the cost to redevelop the hospital, the scope of the project and obtaining a commitment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which would have to approve and fund the plan.

“Silver Cross is such a massive complex, it would require a lot of things to happen before converting it to a VA hospital could be done correctly,” McMillan said.

The existing Silver Cross Hospital is on the east side of Joliet’s downtown on a 50-acre campus.

Wayne Macejak, director of veterans affairs and rehabilitation for the American Legion Department of Illinois, said the plan probably won’t succeed.

“Even though it has some traction, and many people have backed the plan, the fact is the VA has a lot of other needs around the country that are a priority over this,” said Macejak, a Bolingbrook resident.

Macejak said other large metropolitan areas such as Denver need veterans hospitals, and the Chicago area already is being served by three hospitals.

“It might not be real convenient for veterans living in Will County or farther away, but Chicago already has three hospitals to serve the needs of our area veterans. The Springfield area downstate had a similar situation in which a hospital was relocating a few years ago and the idea was brought up, and it was not approved,” Macejak said. “I think developing a mega-clinic to serve area veterans has a better possibility of success.”

Larry Shaver, commander of Bolingbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5917, said a Joliet-based veterans hospital would benefit thousands of veterans.

“For all those veterans who travel from communities south and west of Chicago to go to (Department of Veterans Affairs Edward Hines Jr. Hospital), it would be a benefit,” Shaver said.

Opening up another veterans hospital in the Chicago area also might relieve some of the burden on Hines, Shaver said.

Walsh said working out a plan to develop a multi-purpose facility might get broader support.

“I think it would be negligent if we did not at least explore the possibility of both an in-patient hospital with a veterans home,” said Walsh, a supporter of a veterans hospital in Joliet.

“Right now more than 40,000 veterans live in Will County, and the demand for health care and housing for our veterans increases every day,” Walsh said.

Walsh said he expects an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives from many levels of governments and sectors to be commissioned soon to begin formal discussions on the project.

“To this point there has been a lot of informal exploratory discussions, and they have generated some support. We have a unique opportunity here with a world class hospital eventually becoming vacant, it would be tragic to waste such an opportunity,” Walsh said.

A full-blown hospital would require federal funding and review, and a veterans home — similar to the one in Manteno — would require state funds and input, Walsh said.

“I think it is our responsibility to explore all options available,” Walsh said. “The need is there.”

Silver Cross Hospital plans to build a new hospital near I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox by 2011 or 2012.

The hospital’s governing board has earmarked $8 million to go toward the existing site’s redevelopment.

“There is plenty of time to come up with a plan,” said Jim Brown, Lemont Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5819 commander. “I think the plan has a realistic possibility. That (Silver Cross) is a lot of building that could be used to help the veterans. ... All veterans are not just old men. The kids in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan are now the top priority.”