Thursday, Dec. 17 â This article has been updated with a statement from county Commissioner Bill Lowry.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted unanimously today to reject Mercy Hospital's request to close, with regulators agreeing that the health care provider gave vital care to surrounding communities south of downtown.
The Bronzeville hospital is not out of the woods yet, however: WBEZ reports that the operator, Trinity Health, can take Illinois to court or close anyway and take a $10,000 fine on top of $10,000 for every 30 days the hospital stays open without permission from the agency.
WBEZ reports that Mercy is routinely staffing fewer than half of its 400 beds and loses $4 million a month.