Sunday, January 10, 2016

ST. JAMES FATE ALL BUT CERTAIN - "CLOSE AND DEMOLISH"


ST JAMES HOSPITAL- Most of what you see in the
photo would be demolished if the Franciscan Alliance
cannot find a developer to repurpose the old hospital.
MATTESON |  Get ready everyone, St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights will be closing for good in 2018 according to CEO Arnie Kimmel.  Kimmel was addressing a crowd of about 150 people who turned out at Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson on Saturday morning.  Mayors from Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights, Steger, Crete, Olympia Fields, Lynwood along with Trustees Derrick Burgess and Cecial Tates from Sauk Village were also in attendance.

Kimmel said there are plans to “reinvest” in the Chicago Heights campus with possibly expanding primary care and other community services, provided that the Franciscan Alliance can find a developer.  Kimmel said that the Franciscan Alliance will be making an investment of $137 million into the Olympia Fields campus expanding it's emergency room and adding a new obstetrics unit.  Kimmel said that the old hospital building is showing its age.  “$1 million this year (will be spent) to keep the bricks from falling off the building” Kimmel said.  Over $500 million has been spent by the Franciscan Alliance to subsidize the Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields campuses, most of the money coming from their more profitable ventures in Indiana according to Kimmel.

As part of the Franciscan Alliance $137 million investment, Kimmel said that they will expand their Urgent Care facility at 211 Dixie Highway to include 24/7 urgent care.  Kimmel assured everyone that they will close their St. James Hospital and Emergency room by 2018.  Kimmel said that they have over 470 beds between Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields campuses and their average daily census between both facilities is 160. 
 
Kimmel also said that the south portion of the old hospital will remain and will house a pharmacy and other services but no inpatient services will be at the Chicago Heights location.

State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) urged Kimmel to consider a stand alone Emergency Room or adamantly demanded that they explore ways in which to improve the Emergency Room at Olympia Fields so they can turn EMS crews faster so they can get back to their communities like Crete and Sauk Village which are much further away.  Kimmel responded that it would violate Illinois law to have a stand alone emergency room "and even if the law were changed it would not be a good idea".

DeLuca also chastised Kimmel for his previous presentation in Steger.  “You see two words ‘close and demolish’.  You’ll have a very difficult time turning that around.  It should have been three words, ‘improve, expand and development’” DeLuca said.

If Kimmel and the Franciscan Alliance cannot find a developer that can repurpose the existing building about two-thirds of the Chicago Heights hospital will be demolished.  Kimmel suggested public housing as a possible repurpose. 

Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, blasted Kimmel’s suggestion about public housing.  “We already are saturated with enough vacant housing in our community” Gonzalez said.  Gonzalez also said that he was concerned that any discussions should be done between the Franciscan Alliance and the City of Chicago when it comes to talks of redevelopment o f the St. James building.  

“Where are the sister, if they are so concerned about what we think” Keith Lott, a resident of Chicago Heights, said referring to the fact that none of the sisters from the Order of St. Francis were in attendance at any of the public hearings. 

Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez


A large group of picketers were outside the venue greeting those who came to attend, among them was the Mayor of Chicago Heights who was fighting hard to keep St. James and their long standing relationship in his city. 

Discussions are ongoing with EMS and Fire Chiefs and Franciscan Alliance about improving the turn around time from the Olympia Fields Emergency Room according to Kimmel.

11 comments:

  1. I was born at St, James Hospital I think you need to keep it open for the people of Chicago Heights and surrounding communities.

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    1. My wife will be giving birth there for the second time in February. If there is a third where will we go?

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    2. My wife will be giving birth there for the second time in February. If there is a third where will we go?

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  2. This has been in the works for a very long time. The alliance wants out of IL. Olympia Fields will be upgraded and it will be next on the chopping block. They couldn't care less about the community. It's all about the bottom line. Always has been.

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  3. This has been in the works for a very long time. The alliance wants out of IL. Olympia Fields will be upgraded and it will be next on the chopping block. They couldn't care less about the community. It's all about the bottom line. Always has been.

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  4. The main customers of the hospital are on public assistance. The government doesn't pay full price for services so the hospital is losing money. If you can't make a profit you go out of business.

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  5. What happened to the Hospitals Mission to Sever the Poor! How can they close the doors! Absolute shame.

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  6. in 2016 they plan to spend 1 million dollars to keep the bricks from falling off the building? why is it still open???

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  7. in 2016 they plan to spend 1 million dollars to keep the bricks from falling off the building? why is it still open???

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  8. Its shame if Hospital close this only closest Hospital that, I know if God forbid in emergency where will we go to Advocte Hospital kedize so I guess everybody will have go there and go allway to Ingalls Hospital, only GOD knows what's best, I hope they fix this promble.

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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