Future of West Suburban Medical Center remains uncertain ahead of court hearing

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- The future of West Suburban Medical Center could become clearer during a court hearing scheduled for Thursday, as employees, community members and local lawmakers continue efforts to find a path toward reopening the hospital.

Employees received notices Wednesday informing them they will likely be permanently laid off, adding to concerns about the hospital's future. At the same time, supporters of the hospital say they remain hopeful that an alternative solution can be found.

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State Rep. La Shawn Ford is urging the court to place the case into receivership, a move he believes could help facilitate the transfer of the hospital to a new nonprofit operator and allow it to reopen.

"I think what's happening now is that we see that these owners are not going to come to a resolution that's going to be good for the community and making sure that we have a hospital that's community led," Ford said.

West Suburban Medical Center has been closed since March. Since the closure, West Suburban CEO Manoj Prasad and property owner Rathnaker "Reddy" Patlola have filed lawsuits against one another.

While a settlement is being negotiated through the court process, Ford said Insight, the current owner of the former Mercy Hospital, could be a potential participant in efforts to save West Suburban. According to Ford, Insight has been helping serve patients affected by the closure.

"I think Insight has expressed interest. Will the community accept Insight? Are there other not-for-profit entities out there that might want to come and work with the community in order to open the hospital up with the needs of the community top of mind," Ford said.

Ford said the communities bordering Oak Park and Chicago's West Side need access to a hospital and noted the impact the closure has had on local health care services.

"Remember, now there's no place for women to have babies in the Austin area and on the west side of Chicago, because west suburban is closed," Ford said.

The closure has also left hundreds of former employees without jobs and affordable health insurance. Sylvia Williams, West Suburban's former head of nursing, said the loss extends beyond the workforce.

"We're saddened for the employees that don't have jobs, but we are more saddened for the patients that there is no access of getting care," Williams said.

A settlement conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Daley Center. While there is no guarantee the meeting will produce a resolution, Ford said he remains hopeful about the hospital's future.