South Cook News

The abrupt and quiet closure of the Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care Facility has rankled Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau (R).

Pekau said in a press release he had never seen a medical facility closed overnight without the municipality being alerted.

“The closure of a medical service facility, without notice, is unheard of and unacceptable,” said Pekau. “From sprains, seasonal illnesses, sports injuries and other urgent medical needs, this was the go-to medical care center for many.”

Pekau said he expects an explanation on why the immediate care center was closed so abruptly.

“This is neither world-class care or convenient access and is a disservice to the residents of Orland Park and the surrounding communities,” said Pekau. “The Village of Orland Park, and more importantly the residents of Orland Park and the region, demand an answer to this egregious action taken with no notice.”

He noted the Orland Park Fire Protection District regularly transported patients to the site.

“The closure of the immediate care center came as a surprise to me,” said Pekau. “And I wasn’t alone. It appears no one at the Village was notified of Northwestern Medicine’s decision to close the location nor was anyone at the Orland Park Fire Protection District, who regularly transports patients to and from the facility.”

The clinic, formerly known as Palos Immediate Care Center, is at 15300 West Ave. in Orland Park.

When Northwestern Medicine merged with Palos Health, Dean M. Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare said, ‘We look forward to welcoming Palos Health to Northwestern Medicine … We will join the physicians and staff of Palos Health to provide convenient access to world-class care in the southwest suburbs,” Harrison said.

Pekau recently announced he is running for the Illinois’ 6th congressional District which is currently held by Democrat Sean Casten. He was reelected to a second term as mayor earlier this year.