By Tara Becker

Friday night was a time to celebrate as the Whiteside County Community Health Clinic unveiled its newly expanded dental and medical clinics.

The open house was attended by Sterling and Rock Falls officials, county board members, representatives of area social service organizations, and a special guest - U.S. Rep. Phil Hare.

"I am a big, big supporter of community health clinics," the Rock Island Democrat told the group. "I don't know where people would be if they didn't have a place like this to go to for quality health care."

Hare secured a $300,000 federal grant to help pay for the $1.25 million project, said Beth Fiorini, the health department's public administrator.

Construction on the medical clinic began in early spring and was completed last month. Twelve exam rooms, five offices, two lab areas, a chart room, an education room and several nurses' stations were added.

The dental clinic added three suites and a chart room, expanded the front lobby and installed new dental chairs, lighting and X-ray machines. Construction was completed Thursday and the clinic will be back on duty Monday, Fiorini said.

More than 20,000 patients have been served since the federally funded community health clinic opened in May 2006, Fiorini said. Of those, 49 percent were Medicaid patients and 35 percent were uninsured.

"Our goal is to be a safety net," Fiorini said. "If someone loses their job and loses their insurance, they can come to us until they are able to find work again.

"The goal is not to keep you forever. We're here if you need us."

Daryl Jackson, a regional officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health, came to show his support for the clinic. Community health clinics have always been around, but are becoming more popular because of the faltering economy, he said.

"Communities with clinics always need more expansion work, because the demand is getting higher."