Advocate Health Care, Rockford (IL) Memorial agree to 'exclusive' merger talks

Advocate Health Care has made its merger talks with the parent of Rockford (IL) Memorial Hospital, saying the two hospital operators have signed a letter of intent to enter "exclusive talks" about a strategic partnership. Neither party would elaborate on the scope of the talks. "Due to the confidential nature of the discussions, details surrounding the specific elements of the proposal are not yet available," the companies said in a statement. Advocate, based in suburban Oak Brook, operates nine hospitals throughout the Chicago area.