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TRANSCRIPT OF MEMO: (names and places that could incriminate my wife have been omitted).

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On occasion our Security Department will receive security related information involving other statewide healthcare organizations. Today I would like to pass along information on two separate incidents that have occured in northern Illinois.

The Kendall County Sheriff's Department informed northern Illinois hospitals the following information. On Wednesday, Sept. 29th, at the Valley West Community Hospital Emergency Dept. in Sandwich, Illinois two Middle Eastern males arrived. One stated he was a Chief Medical Resident from a hospital in Cleveland. IVWC stated that this was highly unlikely. The two gentlemen began asking questions as to Valley West's bioterrorism plans, emergency exits, security programs, whether or not they had helipcopter capabilities, distance from major highways and interstates. When a nursing supervisor requested some type of official indentification, they hastily departed.

On Sunday, Sept. 26th, at Illinois Valley Community in Peru, Illinois, two middle eastern males were wandering around the hospital. When questioned by a staff member, they stated that they were going to take their father on an outing and needed a wheelchair. The staff indicated that they did not sell wheelchairs there. They left and then came in another door. They were again stopped by another staff member. They offered to pay $100 for a wheelchair. When the staff person stated that he would have to call someone, they two males "took off running" out the door.

To date, there hasn't been any similar activity reported at our hospital. To our knowledge, there hasn't been any related incidents at other healthcare facilities in central Illinois.

I just wanted to remind all staff to be alert and report any type of suspicious behavior to the Security Department.

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