QMG gets green light for hospital project

QUINCY — A Sangamon County Court has dismissed an appeal by Blessing Health System to block the proposed Quincy Medical Group Hospital and Birth Center to be built at the Quincy Town Center.

In April, seven of the eight members of the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB) approved QMG’s applications for both facilities. Blessing filed an appeal but, according to the court order dismissing the appeal, there were questions regarding the timeliness and filing process of the appeal.

“Plaintiff admits that Section 3-103 of the ARL mandates that the action be commenced, though the filing of a complaint and issuance of summons(es), within 35 days from the date…,” according to court documents. “It is undisputed that while the Complaint was filed on May 31, 2022, summonses were not issued for any of the defendants until June 15, 2022 — 42 days after the permit letter was issued.” 

Full details of the decision can be found in the court order, attached below.

“We are grateful for the court’s decision,” said Carol Brockmiller, QMG CEO. “Our physicians and family of employees have remained steadfastly committed to the QMG Hospital and all that it can bring to our local patients, including choice and affordability. We have been bolstered by the gracious support of our community and the unwavering commitment of our physicians to who matters most — our patients.”

QMG’s small-format hospital will include 25 beds; three labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum or LDRP rooms; an emergency department with 10 bays; a C-section suite; three operating rooms; and a procedure room. The hospital will also include a post-anesthesia care unit, laboratory, pharmacy, and imaging department.

“Throughout our pursuit to transform healthcare for this community, our team of stellar physicians has stayed the course to ensure patients have access to affordable, quality healthcare,” said Dr. Todd Petty, QMG Surgeon and Board Chairman.

Maureen Kahn, president and chief executive officer of Blessing Health, said in a press release she is disappointed with the decision of the court to dismiss the request for review.

“We continue to believe that a second hospital in Quincy is an unnecessary duplication of services and are examining our options for reconsideration or appeal,” she said.