St. Margaret’s in talks with state agencies on possible relief

By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com

Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration is aware of St. Margaret’s situation, state lawmakers confirmed Friday.

The governor’s office now is trying to determine what the hospital needs, how it ended up in its financial situation and the best option moving forward.

St. Margaret’s closed its Peru hospital Jan. 28 and indicated in a letter Feb. 6 its Spring Valley hospital is in critical financial shape.

“Those conversations are ongoing,” said state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris. “The governor’s office is very much concerned about the impact of possibly two hospitals closing in the Illinois Valley and what it would create.”

Earlier this month, St. Margaret’s officials issued a five-page statement saying they will need “an immediate infusion of state support” in order to continue operations and services. The letter was issued by St. Margaret’s President and CEO Tim Muntz and Board Chairperson Terry Judd.

Hospital officials said in the letter they may not have the finances to reopen Peru’s hospital and convert it to a rural emergency hospital without financial