Illinois hospital owner gets OK to shut it down

The owner of Melrose Park, Ill.-based Westlake Hospital can close the facility, a state review board voted April 30, according to The Chicago Tribune.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Service Review Board voted 7-0 to approve Los Angeles-based Pipeline Health's application to shut down the 230-bed hospital in 45 days.

During a hearing with the review board, Pipeline Health argued that the hospital is losing about $2 million per month, making it unsustainable to operate.

The move comes as a blow to hospital workers and community members who have spent months fighting to keep Westlake open.

A Cook County judge still may grant a temporary injunction in May to keep Westlake open. Westlake had been operating under an injunction meant to keep the hospital open until the state review board made its decision.

The village of Melrose Park has vowed to continue its battle in court to keep the hospital open.

It is suing Pipeline for financial damages, accusing the hospital of lying about plans to keep the hospital open for two years when it bought the facility this January, according to CBS Local.

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