U of I starts medical reorganization

SPRINGFIELD — University of Illinois trustees have agreed to begin reorganizing the university’s hospital, clinics and health-sciences colleges in Chicago.

Trustees on Thursday agreed to the first pieces of the reorganization plan. Details are still to be worked out and are expected to be considered by trustees early next year.

The plan would put the University of Illinois Hospital, clinics and health-science colleges at the Chicago campus under a single organizational umbrella. A newly created vice chancellor for health affairs who would oversee them but report to the Chicago-campus chancellor.

University President Robert Easter says the new plan should help improve health-related education as well as research and care.

Some faculty members had hoped to slow down the reorganization and have a greater say in how it’s done.