Backers of a struggling hospital in south suburban Blue Island have reason for optimism today. Last week Saint Francis Hospital’s parent company asked the state for permission to close the debt-ridden facility. Now SSM Healthcare spokesman Chris Sutton says the company’s talking to at least three interested buyers.
SUTTON: Closure of the hospital was the absolute last resort for SSM Healthcare. We did not want to close the hospital. And, you know, there is a glimmer of hope left that we may be able to find a buyer for St. Francis Hospital.
But Sutton says no formal offers have been made yet. He says his company is still moving forward with the regulatory process to close the hospital.