Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare’s Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Ill., has filed an application with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to permanently close its inpatient pediatric unit amid low volumes.
Five things to know:
1. Saint Joseph filed for permanent discontinuation of inpatient pediatric services on June 29, a hospital spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker’s. Staff members were offered positions at other Prime hospitals in the Chicago area.
The hospital is proposing to permanently discontinue its 13 pediatric beds upon board approval or by Dec. 31, according to the application.
2. The hospital temporarily suspended its pediatric inpatient services in April 2025 after averaging less than one patient per day at the unit. Around eight employees and two physicians were affected by the service line closure and were offered roles within the system.
3. Patients under 18 will continue to receive treatment at the hospital’s emergency department, which will maintain its designation as a certified pediatric ready emergency department, the spokesperson said. For children requiring inpatient or specialized pediatric care, Saint Joseph has established transfer agreements with nearby regional pediatric providers, including Endeavor Edward Hospital in Naperville, Ill., and Silver Cross Hospital, in New Lenox, Ill.
4. Prime acquired Saint Joseph and seven other Illinois hospitals from St. Louis-based Ascension in March 2025. A few months later, Illinois Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Richard Durbin raised concerns about changes made since the acquisition, including the suspension of inpatient pediatric services at Saint Joseph. In a June 2 response letter, Prime CEO Prem Reddy, MD, said the hospital was losing $90 million annually and cited research linking low-volume services to worse patient outcomes.
5. The hospital spokesperson said Prime has invested in services that meet evolving community needs.
“Saint Joseph and Prime Healthcare remain deeply committed to the Joliet community and continue to invest in services that meet the evolving community healthcare needs,” the spokesperson said. “These investments include expanding behavioral health services, advanced neurosurgical and spine service capabilities, developing a new ambulatory surgery center, and bringing the latest technologies and equipment to enhance complex stroke care, cardiovascular services, cancer care, and the treatment of other complex medical conditions.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.