SB1739 - Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act Amendments

• Eliminates the requirement for a Letter of Intent before filing an application for a permit or exemption with the State Board.

• Requires the State Board to accept applications for discontinuation of a category of service only once every 6 months at the same health care facility, with subsequent applications within that period requiring a full permit instead of an exemption.

• Establishes expedited review process for changes of ownership among related persons (parties under common control before and after transaction), with Board Chair action within 45 days on complete applications.

• Changes public notice requirements from one day to 3 consecutive days in newspapers of general circulation for change of ownership and facility closure applications.

• Creates new Section 8.7 establishing a permit application process (rather than exemption) for discontinuation of health care facilities or categories of service, with public hearing requirements and option for the Board to defer action up to 6 months if pending litigation challenges the application.