Receiver will be appointed for shuttered Weiss, West Suburban hospitals to preserve assets: judge
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Cook County judge said he will appoint a receiver for shuttered Weiss Memorial Hospital and West Suburban Hospital to preserve assets and begin the process of appealing to restore Weiss' state license.
Judge Patrick Stanton said the parties involved will be allowed to weigh in on who should serve as receiver, but he plans to appoint one for both hospitals on Tuesday.
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Speaking after court, Rathnakar "Reddy" Patlola of Ramco Healthcare Holdings said he hopes both hospitals can eventually resume operations.
"My hope is to reopen both hospitals and rehire all the employees that were laid off; that's my hope I pray to God," Patlola said.
Community advocates who attended the hearing said they viewed the judge's decision as a positive development, though they cautioned that more work remains.
"The needle was moved a little; so it's a win, but it ain't the great win," said Rev. Robin Hood of the Coalition to Save Safety Net Hospitals.
Aaron Saunders of The Coalition to Save West Suburban said the focus now should be on securing support for the hospitals to reopen.
"The real goal being finding and identifying neighborhood partners, corporate sponsorship and partners who are willing to come in and assist the people in this process," Saunders said.
West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park abruptly closed in March, while Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood ceased operations last year.
Earlier in the day, stakeholders from both communities held a news conference outside the Daley Center, where the court proceedings took place.
Ald. Angela Clay, whose 46th Ward includes the Uptown area, said Weiss provided lifesaving care to her grandfather and criticized the loss of healthcare services in the community.
"I am disgusted that we have to stand here and ask for the bare minimum, which is high quality healthcare in some of the most underserved communities in this city," Clay said.
Demi Palecek, the Democratic nominee for state representative in the 13th District, said Weiss played a critical role in her own life.
"Uptown didn't just lose a building. We lost a safety net. The city lost a safety net and a safety net isn't something you can replace later," Palecek said.
The appointment of a receiver is expected to move forward Tuesday as litigation involving Weiss and West Suburban hospitals continues.
