Assessor Petition

 Hold Resurrection Health Care Accountable fo Charitable Obligations

Resurrection Health Care (RHC), the second-largest health care corporation in Chicago, enjoys more than $1 billion in annual revenue. It holds property tax exmeptions status: but is ignoring its obligations to the city's poor that come with status.

RHC no longer deserves the benefits of tax exemption.

The company has rejected attempts by workers and community leaders to discuss its conduct. Losing its property tax exemption would send a clear message to management -- be truly charitable or pay a fair share of property taxes.

Please take a moment to tell the Cook County assessor to put RHC  on the property tax rolls until the corporation reforms its practices.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Make Resurrection Pay Its Share

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to take steps now to ensure that Resurrection Health Care Corporation (RHC) pays its fair share of property taxes on its Cook County properties.

RHC is the second-largest health care corporation in Chicago and enjoys more than $1 billion in revenue annually, while failing to maintain the charitable practices required for property tax exemption status.

RHC's current practices include:

*Providing only a minimal amount of charity care to the needy;

*Suing poor, uninsured patients who cannot pay their medical bills; and

*Restricting access to charity care based on residency, immigration status and prior medical debt.

You are well-aware of the rapidly increasing property tax bills facing homeowners and businesses. RHC should be put on the tax rolls to pay its fair share until it again meets the requirements for an exemption.

By doing so, you will demonstrate to all Chicago taxpayers that assessments are based on the rules -- not clout or convience.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 23, 2004


Background Information

Hold Resurrection Health Care Accountable for Charitable Obligations to the Poor.

Employees of Resurrection Health Care (RHC) have been working with AFSCME Council 31 over the last year to form a union and revive the corporation's charity mission.

RHC is the second-largest health care corporation in Chicago and includes nine hospitals with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. As it purchases hospitals with a long tradition of caring for the poor, RHC also acquired the tax-exempt status these hospitals carried. But take a look at RHC's current practices:

  • Providing only a minimal amount of charity care to the needy;
  • Suing poor, uninsured patients who cannot pay their medical bills; and
  • Restricting access to charity care based on residency, immigation status and prior medical debt.

The company has rejected attempts by workers and community leaders to discuss its anti-union conduct and failure to provide a sufficient amount of charitable care. Losing its property tax exemption would send a clear message to management -- be truly charitable or pay a fair share of property tax.