St. Mary's Hospital in Streator will close. The decision was made Tuesday by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which also approved a new hospital for the Rockford area.
David Giuliani, a reporter with The Times, covered the decision Tuesday night. He said people in the room shouted in opposition once the decision was announced.
The Times: State OKs Streator hospital closure
OSF Healthcare System and Hospital Sisters Health System announced an agreement in September to transition health care in the city from HSHS to OSF. St. Mary's has more than 300 employees.
Another major vote at Tuesday's meeting was unanimous approval for MercyRockford Health System to build a hospital on the northeast of the city.
The Rockford Register-Star reports members of the review board voted 8 to 0. MercyRockford plans to build a 188-bed hospital at I-90 and Riverside Boulevard. Construction is expected to start late next year.
OSF St. Anthony opposed the new hospital. According to the newspaper, a Rockford School Board member said the hospital will further "marginalize" the west side.
In another unanimous vote, the board agreed that Northwestern Memorial could take over the KishHealth system, which operates hospitals in DeKalb and Sandwich and the nonprofit Ben Gordon Center.
The Daily Chronicle reports that several residents and local law enforcement officials raised concerns about access to mental health care in DeKalb County.
KishHealth officials reiterated the system’s commitment to mental health services, but said inpatient facilities weren’t needed in DeKalb County. Northwestern officials have said those who need inpatient mental health care would be transferred to the recently expanded Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.
