The Sentinel

State Rep to hold satellite office hours for St. Joseph, stops in Vermilion County also set

Satellite Office Hours Set for St. Joseph, Homer, Fairmount & Georgetown

ST. JOSEPH - State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is ready to hear from his constituents. Earlier this week, Niemerg announced "Satellite Office Hours" for St. Joseph, Homer, Fairmount and Georgetown on Tuesday, June 10.

This popular program provides opportunities for constituents to meet with legislative staff to receive help and discuss state issues and concerns.

Niemerg, who champions homeschool freedom, protecting the Second Amendment and retaining the state’s original flag, will spend an hour at the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library.

“My satellite office hours provide convenient locations for constituents to get help closer to their home without having to travel to my district office,” said Niemerg. “My legislative staff will be on hand to meet with constituents to help with state programs and concerns.”

Residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment but can stop by if they have a last-minute issue or concern. Constituents may contact Niemerg’s office at (217) 712-2126 or visit RepNiemerg.com.

Mobile satellite office hours

9:30 to 10:30 AM
St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library
201 N. Third Street, St. Joseph

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Homer Village Hall
500 E. Second Street, Homer

12:30 to 1:30 PM
Fairmount Fire Station
403 S. High Street, Fairmount

2:30 to 3:30 PM
Georgetown Senior Center
102 W. West Street, Georgetown

OSF to merge Urbana, Danville hospitals in overhaul for 2026

URBANA - OSF HealthCare announced a major transformation in its east central Illinois operations Tuesday, revealing plans to merge two regional hospitals into a single entity with dual campuses.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026—pending state approval—OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana and OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville will unite under a new model aimed at streamlining services and expanding behavioral health care. The Urbana campus will take the lead in delivering inpatient behavioral health services, while continuing to offer emergency care, inpatient beds, diagnostics, lab work, and additional clinic services.

Photo provided

The decision comes after months of analysis and community feedback, as OSF leadership worked to identify solutions to long-standing challenges such as provider shortages, declining inpatient use, and financial strain. Officials say aligning operations between the two hospitals will eliminate service duplication and make better use of existing resources.

“This change allows us to address critical gaps in care and build a stronger, more sustainable health care system for the region,” OSF said in a public statement.

The transition is expected to bring expanded mental health offerings to Urbana, including programs for young adults, patients with co-occurring medical and psychiatric needs, and seniors requiring geriatric psychiatric care—services the organization says have been in short supply locally.

OSF acquired both hospitals in 2018 and has since invested heavily in infrastructure and community-based services. However, hospital leaders acknowledged that staffing losses and reduced inpatient demand required a rethinking of their care delivery model.

Staff affected by the transition will receive individual support, with OSF pledging to help Mission Partners—its term for employees—explore more than 170 open positions locally, in addition to opportunities throughout its broader network.

OSF emphasized that continuity of patient care remains a top priority throughout the merger process. Patients and care teams will be guided through any transitions, ensuring communication and support at every stage.

The planned merger awaits approval by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board later this year.

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