Vets' hospital to be named for astronaut

NORTH CHICAGO Work is beginning on the final phase of the $130 million expansion at the North Chicago Veterans Medical Center.

After a consultant recommended its closure,. Congressman Mark Kirk worked with veterans to keep it open.

The facility was combined with naval hospital at Great Lakes. The new facility will be named after former astronaut, Navy veteran and Lake Forest resident Jim Lovell.

Kirk says Lovell was a childhood hero.