MetroSouth Medical Center closure OK’d

A state review board on Tuesday approved the closing of MetroSouth Medical Center, ending a monthslong fight to keep the century-old Blue Island hospital open.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board unanimously voted Tuesday to close the hospital after postponing the vote in September.

Meanwhile, the review board said it is awaiting a report from the Illinois Department of Public Health about whether Quorum Health, the hospital’s owner, was noncompliant in closing the hospital without board approval.

Hospital operators disregarded the board’s order last month to maintain services and proceeded to shut it down shortly after the September meeting ended.

“We appreciate the Board’s diligence in considering our application and recognize the importance of the Board’s role in this process,” said Amanda Anderson, a spokeswoman for Quorum Health. “We extend our gratitude to the employees who have devoted themselves to caring for our patients and the city of Blue Island.”

Anderson said Quorum will stay in communication with city leaders in hopes of finding a health carerelated use for the hospital that was once Blue Island’s largest employer.

“This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but we know opportunities still exist to transform health care delivery in this community,” Anderson said.

State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, said residents in his district are angry and are questioning how the hospital was able to close. Rita said he remains optimistic about recruiting a new health care provider to take over the now shuttered facility.

“I have not directly spoke with anyone from Quorum, but they are publicly saying they will work with us to find a new health care network,” Rita said. “I hope they stay true to what they are saying.”