Chicago Mayor Proposes Elimination of Free Water, Sewer Services for Non-Profit Hospitals

[The Straight Story]

Chicago Mayor Proposes Elimination of Free Water, Sewer Services for Non-Profit Hospitals


Tags: Illinois | non-profit hospitals | Rahm Emanuel | water services
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed cutting free water and sewer services for non-profit organizations, including some of Chicago's largest non-profit hospitals, as part of his plan to fill the city's nearly $635 million deficit, according to a Chicago Business report.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rush University Medical Center and University of Chicago Medical Center are just a few of the non-profit facilities that have had free or reduced water and sewer fees, but Mayor Emanuel's 2012 budget proposal may take those liberties away, according to the report. Mayor Emanuel's budget proposal includes a broad list of other sweeping cuts, tax increases and increased fees.

According to the report, Northwestern Memorial saved more than $260,000 in 2009, though hospital officials dispute those findings. Rush University Medical Center also saved $212,000. Rush officials declined to comment on the matter.

Mayor Emanuel's recommendation adds to a growing number of challenges facing non-profit hospitals in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Revenue stripped three Illinois hospitals' tax exempt status, arguing the hospitals did not provide enough charity care to the community. Fifteen other hospitals were due for state investigation, but Gov. Pat Quinn granted the Illinois Hospital Association's request to halt the inquiries until a legislative compromise is made.

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/racs-/-icd-9-/-icd-10/chicago-mayor-proposes-elimination-of-free-water-sewer-services-for-non-profit-hospitals.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. This reads like an episode of "St. Elsewhere".

[LiberalFighter]

2. I don't like him but why should anyone not pay for it?

[JanMichael]

3. I would like to add that hospital "nonprofits" are shells.

They get the 501-c3 then have management salaries that imitate Wall Street incomes (and contract out workink people wages to shitty shells) damned near in every city on America. Go look up form 990's for your local "nonprofit" "hospital".

[pennylane100]

4. I was just thinking the same thing.

I recently read a report that Kaiser has been funneling money from their non profit hospitals (which non Kaiser people subsidize because they are non profit) and they place it in a for profit venture.

[lib2DaBone]

5. and of course the sick and the elderly will pay.. and pay dearly...

The American belief that health Care is only for those that can pay....

The American public is getting sicker by the day.. without basic vaccinations, BASIC dental and health care. We are third world.

[davsand]

6. I'm not sure a legislative compromise is possible.

Without going into a huge amount of detail, the Illinois Constitution is VERY strictly construed against exemption from taxes--to the point that it actually spells out which property tax exemptions the legislature can deal with. Exemption for hospitals does not appear on that list. There is a very real debate out there about the question, is there any way for the legislature to touch this hospital exemption issue and still be within the law. Barring a constitutional amendment, it might not be possible for the legislature to do much of anything except wring their hands and worry about the loss of campaign contributions from the hospital association.



Laura