🤼 The battle over renters’ rights

Struggles Across Chicago Safety-Net Hospitals

It’s been nearly a year since Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown closed its doors. Months later, its sister hospital, West Suburban, shuttered too. Both served primarily low-income patients.

As the fallout continues, remaining safety-net hospitals face mounting challenges.

A new law requires hospitals to file more financial information with the state, but those records will be confidential, limiting what the public knows about potential hospital closures. It also creates a new loan program for distressed hospitals.

• The debate: Although the legislation passed unanimously, critics now say communities deserve to know more — especially as doctors fear additional closures.

Safety-net hospitals are struggling: Chicago has 18 safety-net hospitals left, more than half of which are on the South and West Sides. These serve patients who are on Medicaid, uninsured, or otherwise vulnerable. Federal Medicaid cuts jeopardize their future.

• In Illinois: More than 400,000 people could lose coverage in 2028.
• Around Austin: Former patients of West Suburban are delaying care, thus arriving at other ERs sicker.

Hope for Weiss? After HVAC failures forced the evacuation of Weiss last June, investigators found additional compliance issues, leading to a temporary license suspension in effect through early 2027. Now, however, the state is granting Weiss’ owner six months to fix those issues before the license is permanently revoked.

• Ongoing debt: Resilience Healthcare, which owns Weiss and West Suburban, owes taxpayers over $100 million.
• Ongoing litigation: West Suburban’s CEO and landowner are suing each other — Resilience’s attorneys just dropped out of the fight.

Meanwhile, more Loretto drama: Loretto Hospital, another safety-net hospital serving Austin, has been in the news for years over a COVID testing fraud scandal. Charges against two defendants in the case were recently dropped, but former CFO and COO Anosh Ahmed will not get off that easy.

• Remember when Ahmed was a fugitive in Serbia?

The Battle Ring for Renters’ Rights

Right now, there are two competing visions to replace the city’s 40-year-old Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance: one from the mayor and the other from a bloc of alders. On today’s podcast, we discuss the key differences. Also: e-scooter restrictions in Edgewater and the upcoming Lolla weekend! [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

7 Save-A-Lot Stores Closed

Seven Save-A-Lot grocery stores closed on the South and West Sides as the chain ended its agreement with struggling operator Yellow Banana. Previously, the city passed a $26 million package for Yellow Banana to revive the stores. As neighbors brace for the loss, Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) is hoping for a new investor. [Block Club]

• Listen: What happened to the Save-A-Lots? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Mass Shooting in Humboldt Park

Six people were shot, two critically, near Augusta and Central Park over the weekend. The shooting broke out during a large late-night party. Detectives are investigating. [ABC 7]

911 Calls Over Sliced Mango?

Police say the recent crackdown on fruit vendors resulted from “a lot” of 911 calls. Although a judge recently dismissed 19 cases, fruit vendors can be ticketed heavily. Current law forbids prep at the cart, even seasoning. Advocates also say enforcement has led immigrants to get apprehended at court.

• Also: Hot dog vendors face a lot of red tape. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

What Does it Mean to Preserve a Prison?

Since Joliet Correctional Center closed 24 years ago, it's been a museum, a movie set, a haunted attraction, a concert venue, a stop on Route 66, and recently, a ballpark. Now, as demolition of the nearby Stateville Correctional Facility nears, officials wonder what aspects, if any, should be preserved. [Reader]