CHICAGO – Earlier this year, Trinity Health announced it would close Mercy Hospital and Medical Center by 2021, which has been widely opposed by community members, health care officials and many legislators – including State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). Those opposed hosted a press conference Friday morning, and urged that Mercy stay open, even if the ownership must change.

“Closing Mercy Hospital due to financial costs, as has been the justification when other safety nets have been shuttered, is not a solution,” Hunter said. ”The financial issues faced in our health care system are multi-faceted, and will require a different approach. Re-evaluating nonprofits tax exempt status may be a part of that approach.”

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus held a number of hearings throughout the week to dive further into racial disparities across all sectors of life and to continue to build upon its four-pillar legislative agenda to eliminate systemic racism ahead of the fall veto session.

On Monday, Senate Public Health Chair Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago), Executive Chair Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and Health and Human Services Chair Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) lead a joint hearing to discuss the disparities in access to health care across racial and socioeconomic lines.

“The time it takes to reach the hospital can determine whether someone lives or dies,” Hunter said. “Safety net hospitals are the only option some Black and Brown people have, yet they are extremely underfunded and continue to be closed down. “

During the hearing, physicians and hospital executives advocated for the need of safety net hospitals, which provide patients who need emergency care with options that are nearby and affordable. However, due to lack of revenue, many of these safety net hospitals that residents depend on are closing down, including Mercy Hospital, which is expected to close in 2021.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) joins Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White to invite students in grades 4-12 to enter a statewide reading and writing competition known as “Letters About Literature in Illinois,” offered by the Illinois State Library’s Illinois Center for the Book.

“Literature is a powerful tool, and this is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their love for reading,” said Joyce. “I encourage students to participate in the competition and submit an entry.”

CHICAGO – The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) named State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) a Lifetime Environmental Champion for his exceptional voting record on environmental protection and sustainability legislation.

“Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to work toward cleaner air and water, tackle climate change and protect our open spaces. It is an honor to be recognized by the Illinois Environmental Council for these efforts,” said Martwick. “I look forward to continuing to work with them to protect our environment and the health and safety of our communities.”

ELGIN – With flu season in full swing, it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family. In recognition of this, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is sponsoring a flu shot clinic in Hanover Park next month.

“Under normal circumstances, it would be a good idea to get a flu shot so that you and your loved ones can stay healthy throughout the flu season,” Castro said. “But this year, when flu season coincides with a global pandemic, the importance is even greater. We can’t let one dangerous disease let us get complacent about another, so I encourage everyone to sign up and get a flu shot.”

DEERFIELD – Nearly two months after thousands of children under the Department of Children and Family Service’s care were transitioned to a new health care program, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) led a hearing to discuss how the transition went and what changes still need to be made to the program.

“While I’m pleased thousands of children have received better care, more must be done to make sure every child in the DCFS system receives adequate health care regardless of ZIP code or family background,” Morrison said. “Foster families have already sacrificed so much to take care of our state’s most vulnerable children. They shouldn’t have to consider uprooting their families to find local, quality care.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Thursday that the Illinois Department of Transportations will be finished with Interstate 255repairs a month early.   

“Highways and road systems are among the most critical components of Illinois’ infrastructure. As a nationwide hub of transportation, that infrastructure is also crucial to our state’s economy,” Belt said. “The disinvestment of I-255 was a burden for the people I represent. I’m thrilled to see this long-awaited project so near to completion, and I want to thank Gov. Pritzker and IDOT for making the drivers of the Metro East a top priority.”

CHICAGO - The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will host a press conference and rally this Friday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m., urging Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot to prevent Mercy Hospital from closing. The press conference will be held across the street from Mercy Hospital, on the corner of 26^th and Indiana.

At the event, members from both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly will discuss why it’s vital to save the hospital, which serves predominantly Black patients, and how a potential closure would affect surrounding safety net hospitals.  

The impending closure of Mercy is directly related to the health care and human services pillar of the Legislative Black Caucus agenda.

What: Press conference on stopping the potential closure of Mercy, a safety-net Hospital

Who: Representative Lamont Robinson (D-Chicago), Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus

When: Friday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.

Where: Mercy Hospital, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Press conference will be set up at the corner of 26th and Indiana.