The Illinois Hospital Association and the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council plan to merge. The hospital advocacy groups assert that the new entity would offer members new revenue solutions, as well as improved technology, data analytics and information services.

The IHA represents over 200 hospitals and nearly 50 health systems; the MCHC represents 150 hospitals and  other healthcare organizations in metropolitan Chicago.

Of course the merger would mirror the wave of hospital mergers underway in the Land of Lincoln and most of the rest of America.