Presence Health, the medical system that operates 11 Illinois hospitals, including Presence St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, is announcing its cutting up to 700 jobs. A press release states 250 jobs will be cut this year and 450 positions won't be filled thru attrition.

Presence does not say which hospitals or long-term care and senior living facilities will be specifically impacted. But the job loss would be concentrated among corporate staff, rather than what was described as front-line health care workers, such as doctors and nurses.

Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka is not likely to be affected. IMH is an 'independent' partner of Presence Health.

The Presence network CEO, Michael Englehart, blamed poor billing collection as a key component as the system lost $186 million in 2015. It's about 15 times what it lost the previous year. In 2014, the organization lost $12.7 million.

The loss of 700 jobs is 3.5 percent of Presence's 20,000-member workforce.

The Presence news release states "We recognize that the changes we will have to make will not be easy for any of us at Presence Health." Englehart further states, "Consistent with our mission and values, we are committed to treating all associates in a compassionate manner and will provide transition assistance to those who are impacted."

Locally, Presence has 850 Kankakee County employees.  The layoffs were announced Wednesday during a call with Presence bondholders.

94.1 WGFA