Our Lady Of Angels: 'It Is True That We Are Considering Closing'

JOLIET, IL —Our Lady of Angels has been a part of Joliet since around 1960, but there's a good chance the nursing care facility overseen by the Joliet Franciscan Sisters won't be open a year from now.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., Sister Jeanne Bessette, OSF, sent a press release to Joliet Patch, reacting to the news.

"Regarding the story first reported on WJOL radio this morning about Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home’s closing, this was apparently made public by a caller to the morning news program who is a former employee of OLA.," remarked Sister Bessette, president, Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, chair of the Board for Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home.

"Unfortunately, it is true that we are considering closing, but we have not yet made a final decision and therefore have not developed any timeline related to closing," her press release stated.

Sister Bessette went on to say that "we are meeting with the Illinois Nurses Association on Thursday to discuss the issue. Should we decide to close this 60-year-old long-term care facility, we will not do so until well after January 1, 2023, so that we can do our best to ensure a smooth transition for our residents, their families and our staff."

About eight hours earlier, on Tuesday morning, 1340-AM WJOL Morning Show Host Scott Slocum broke the news, publishing the following headline on the WJOL website:"A Joliet Institution Expected To Close Sometime Next Year."

"The future of Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet is on life support," Slocum reported. "WJOL has learned the facility could be closing as early as the first month of the new year."

On Tuesday night, Joliet Patch contacted Slocum and he disagreed with Sister Bessette's statement about WJOL's reporting of the closing of Our Lady of Angels.

"Her implication that a former employee of OLA was the source couldn't be further from the truth," Slocum informed Patch's editor. "WJOL does not reveal its sources, but the information came multiple sources that have never been employed by or are not currently employed by OLA."

Slocum went on to say, "I hope my sources are wrong. OLA has been an important institution in Joliet for years and seniors need quality care now more than ever."

Joliet Patch visited the Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home at 1201 Wyoming Avenue, off Ingalls Avenue, on Tuesday and spoke with the facility's interim administrator. He told Patch that a press release statement would be issued "shortly" in regard to questions about Our Lady of Angels closing.

Patch asked him if he knew whether "shortly" meant later on Tuesday, or within a few days, and he said he could not comment any further. He also said he could not divulge the number of people employed at Our Lady of Angels, when Patch inquired about the number of employees who could be left without a job if Our Lady of Angels closes in the coming weeks.

According to WJOL, the first residents began moving into the new facility in January 1962 and "OLA became the gold standard for rehabilitation and long term care and independent living within the Joliet community."

Our Lady of Angels website proclaims that "Our continuing care community enables you to enjoy life at every stage, lead an active and engaged lifestyle, and still have access to longer term care when you need it. Our community provides licensed rehabilitation and skilled nursing care for short-term recovery after a hospital stay or when extended stay is needed.

"Located on the west side of Joliet, OLA sits on 10 acres of land conveniently located near shopping and dining areas. Residents enjoy our beautiful, safe, friendly community with quality caregivers and professional, well-trained staff."