Preckwinkle disappointed in hospital vote

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says she’s disappointed in a state board’s decision to deny closure of Oak Forest Hospital.

Preckwinkle says the county now must go back to the drawing board and will consider all options. She testified at Monday’s meeting of the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board in favor of closing the hospital.

After the vote she wouldn’t say if the county would sue or pursue legislation to exempt it from board authority. She reiterated that county officials would look at all options.

Cook County hoped to close the hospital June 1 and convert it to an outpatient center.

Dr. Terry Mason, interim CEO of the county health system, is also disappointed in the decision but says the county “will follow the law.”