State's Attorney Foxx Takes Legal Action to Stop Closure of Westlake Hospital

Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx today filed an emergency motion to be included as a plaintiff in legal proceedings that resulted in the entry of a temporary restraining order (TRO) on April 9, 2019, requiring Westlake Hospital to remain open despite attempts by its new investor owners, led by Pipeline Health System LLC, to shut the hospital down. 

The Circuit Court of Cook County previously entered a TRO at the request of the Village of Melrose Park, which is home to Westlake, but on Thursday the Illinois Appellate Court vacated the TRO on the grounds that the Village lacked legal standing to enforce the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. 

"We stand with the patients and staff of Westlake Hospital and the community it serves in demanding that the Defendants follow the law," said State's Attorney Kim Foxx. "We will not stand idly by while private investors profit from shuttering a hospital in violation of their promises.  If the State subsequently allows the closure, any transition must ensure continuity of care for the wellbeing and safety of the community."

A hearing on the State’s Attorney’s emergency motion is set for 10 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2019, at Daley Center in Chicago, room 2402.