In response to the January 28th closure of St. Margaret’s Hospital in Peru, State Representative Brad Fritts (R-Dixon) released the following statement:
“The news of St. Margaret’s Hospital closing took me and many others by surprise; it is my understanding that the state has been a more than fair partner in the process to keep this rural facility open. Therefore, this sudden closure is very disappointing. I strongly urge the administration at St. Margaret’s to re-evaluate their decision to close this facility, leaving many out of a job and many more without care. The impacts of this closure, especially of the obstetric facilities, will negatively impact women and growing families from numerous communities in the area. Nowhere, and especially not in Illinois, should women have to drive over an hour to ensure they can safely give birth in a hospital.”