State OKs merger of 2 Illinois health care firms

Two health care companies are expected to form one of the state’s largest health care systems after a state board signed off on their merger plans.

The News-Gazette in Champaign (http://bit.ly/np5EWM ) reports that the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted unanimously Wednesday to OK the merger of Mokena-based Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care of Chicago.

The companies plan to merge Nov. 1.

Between them the health systems have 22,000 employees and a network that includes 5,000 doctors. The two companies operate 12 hospitals.

Resurrection spokesman Brian Crawford said patients shouldn’t notice much difference. A new name is expected to be chosen eventually but hasn’t been decided on.