Advocate looking at hospital partnership outside Chicago

Advocate Health Care is moving closer to a deal with a large hospital operator in Bloomington-Normal, a sign that Illinois' largest medical care provider could be reaching its first partnership outside of the Chicago area. Advocate, which owns nine hospitals in Chicago and the suburbs, said in a memo it has extended its letter of intent to "explore a partnership" with BroMenn Healthcare System. The letter of intent was first signed in December, and executives are now negotiating terms of the definitive agreement, which could be finalized this summer.