Applications now open for Rhonda Downey Scholarship

Shaw Local News Network assistance from the state or federal government. St. Margaret’s officials also said they need to shore up the financial situation with the Spring Valley hospital, which remains open as a full service hospital and emergency room. Officials confirmed in the letter they have a backlog of bills for both facilities.

Senachwine Township is now accepting applications for the Rhonda Downey Scholarship that will be presented to a Henry-Senachwine High School senior. Applicants should reside in Senachwine Township and be graduating at the end of the current school year.

Rezin and state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, said they both worked together to bring the situation to the governor’s office, where they are following it closely.

Rezin said the state is exploring if it can release money for anticipated Medicare/Medicaid payments ahead of the normal cycle to help with St. Margaret’s cash crunch. The state agencies, however, want to make sure they have enough information on the hospital’s situation before proceeding.

Yednock said St. Margaret’s officials are meeting with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

“We are connecting the hospital with any possible relief or help it can get, but it’s a process,” Yednock said.

Rezin said St. Margaret’s will receive $1 million in April from an appropriations bill that passed to help all hospitals still struggling from the pandemic.