MetroSouth Hospital To Close At End Of September

BLUE ISLAND, IL — The last days of MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island are fast approaching. Hospital officials informed employees this week that all services there will be discontinued by Sept. 30, the Chicago Sun-Times and others have reported.

A dispute has emerged between political leaders, who have criticized the hospital's decision to close, and MetroSouth CEO John Walsh. Walsh said in this letter to employees and staff members that there are "no parties committed to assume and maintain the operations of the hospital."

But Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas told the Sun-Times that he knows of multiple institutions with interest in purchasing the hospital. The MetroSouth closing will effect 800 employees as Blue Island's largest employer, Vargas said.

Walsh said in his letter that employees who stay on until their termination dates will receive full pay and benefits through the end of October.

State Rep. Bob Rita of Blue Island also criticized the closing decision, telling the Sun-Times that it was "reckless and irresponsible." Their announcement coming less than two months before the closing date, Rita said, is "disappointing and unacceptable."