Governor Quinn Identifies Temporary Emergency Assistance to Keep Roseland Hospital Open

CHICAGO – Governor Quinn today announced that the state of Illinois will provide temporary emergency assistance for Roseland Community Hospital to remain open in the community while it develops a long-term turnaround plan. Approximately $350,000 in temporary assistance will allow the hospital to continue to serve the community while developing this comprehensive plan for future stability.

“Roseland Community Hospital is an anchor in the community and we will do what we can to protect the patients and employees,” Governor Quinn said. “This temporary relief will allow their doors to remain open and continue to provide critical care services. However, this is not a long-term solution. The hospital must take the necessary steps to develop a plan for a sustainable future.”

"From the beginning of our discussions on Roseland Hospital, the Governor and I have been in agreement that Roseland is a vital community resource but that substantial structural changes were necessary in order for the hospital to operate in a fiscally responsible manner," U.S. Representative Robin Kelly said. "I'd like to thank the Governor for his actions today, which are important first steps in accessing the long-term viability of Roseland. I look forward to continuing to work with him to help Roseland develop a more sustainable business model that will allow it to serve the community more effectively."

As a condition of the state’s emergency assistance, independent financial experts will conduct a comprehensive review of the hospital’s budget, operations and finances. In addition, the hospital will select an independent chief restructuring officer to oversee the operations and development of the long-term plan.

Executives have not yet proposed a viable plan to properly run the hospital, which is essential to keep its doors open in the long-term. Roseland Community Hospital is in deep debt and its leadership has serious, long-time management issues that must be addressed. The state of Illinois will continue to work with the hospital to identify potential partners and available resources within the law so they can develop a plan for long-term stability.

For two months Governor Quinn’s top health care advisors have been meeting with the hospital and requesting critical information that would allow the state to consider emergency assistance. This week, the state of Illinois received that information. Due to Roseland’s dire fiscal situation, the state of Illinois has also advanced all payments to the hospital for this fiscal year.