Winnebago County, Illinois
In Rockford, the Swedish American Hospital, the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, and the Rockford Memorial Hospital serve the Winnebago County communities’ health care needs. In addition, the Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, the only rehabilitation hospital in the region, is in Rockford. Van Matre treats patients that require rehabilitation from the effects of stroke and other neurological disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations, and orthopedic, cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center sees many of Winnebago County’s accidents and sudden critical illnesses as their network of emergency services includes a Level I Trauma Center and an Emergency Department; Lifeline Helicopter Service; Lifeline Ambulance Services, OSF Northern Illinois Emergency Medical Services(NIEMS) education and training for emergency personnel in the region, and a MedComm communications center, which receives calls for emergency assistance from physicians and emergency personnel serving in the region or from hospital staff.
With so many healthcare choices for Winnebago County residents, the variety can be confusing. Health Grades lists all of the hospitals in Illinois with ratings for specific procedures. To find a doctor practicing in a specific community in Winnebago County, UCompare Health Care lists Illinois doctors by their practice location. The United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois website provides a wealth of information on disabilities and prevention of certain disabilities. You can also refer to the Illinois Hospital Directory for contact and medical information.
Winnebago County, Illinois was established in 1836 and named for the Winnebago Tribe of American Indians. Winnebago County is in the north central portion of IL, bordering Wisconsin. The western part of Winnebago County is rural, while the eastern half, including Rockford, is urban and has the majority of the industry in the county. According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimate, Winnebago County is home to 299,702 people.
Rockford, the third largest city in Illinois, has the distinction of being the county seat of Winnebago County. The Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford is at the heart of the Interstate 39 Logistics Corridor, the gateway to America’s Midwest. UPS, whose second largest sorting and heavy airfreight facility is located at the Rockford Airport, provides many jobs for Winnebago County residents. In addition to Interstate 39, Winnebago County is served by Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 20, U.S. Highway 51, and Illinois Routes 2, 75, 173 and 251.
Winnebago County is going global with great success. Government officials have gone on trade missions to China and Sweden and received several business delegations from both countries. Already, Wanxiang America has come to Winnebago County with their solar panel assembly plant and 240 jobs. Rockford College, Rock Valley College, and Northern Illinois University Extension help prepare Winnebago residents for the many technical and industrial jobs located within the county.
The arts and cultural communities are well-represented in Winnebago County; it is home to the Discovery Center, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Dance Company, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, WNIU/WNIJ Public Radio, and the Midway Village & Museum Center.
There is no shortage of outdoor fun in Winnebago County. The Magic Waters Water Park, Anderson Japanese Garden, Klehm Arboretum and Rock Cut State Park provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
