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Featured Article Of The Week
Manteno State Hospital
The Illinois Legislature in 1927, under the administration of Len Small, voted to build a new institution for the mentally ill as Kankakee and Chicago State Hospitals were becoming overcrowded. Appropriations for the land and original buildings for a new "insane" hospital were handled by the State Department of Public Welfare. Considering that a large proportion of people committed to asylums came from Cook County, a location was chosen close to Chicago, yet outside the area of high-priced land. A site was chosen near the village of Manteno. 1,000 acres were acquired in a location near the town. Plans were drawn for the construction of an administration building first, followed by 100 patient cottages. The contracts were awarded on December 8th, 1928. Click here for more...
