Chicago Tribune reports: Doctors at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan are asking the state for $9 million to help them shift control of the troubled hospital and its sister hospital near St. Louis, in a bid to keep the facilities open and eventually turn them into nonprofits.

The medical executive committee at Vista – composed of doctors who are leaders in the hospital – planned to send a letter Thursday to Gov. JB Pritzker’s office asking for the state’s assistance, according to a spokesperson for the committee.

The money would be used to keep Vista and Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City running while a new board takes control of the hospitals. The new board would consist of the CEO of the Chicago Medical Society and a consultant for the current owner, American Healthcare Systems, a for-profit company. The current owner would no longer be involved in financial decision-making for the hospitals, the spokesperson said.

Ultimately, the new board’s intention would be to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy – which would allow the hospitals to reorganize while continuing to operate  – and turn them into nonprofits.

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