Three major not-for-profit behavioral-health organizations in Illinois announced last week that they have signed a letter of intent to merge, citing rising costs, uncertain reimbursement and the need to invest in new technology and infrastructure.
Carterville-based Centerstone of Illinois, Alton-based WellSpring Resources and the Prairie Center in Urbana are expected to combine operations. Prairie Center and WellSpring would become part of Centerstone, which serves over 9,000 people a year in Illinois.
Prairie Center is a substance-abuse treatment provider, while WellSpring and Centerstone offer varied mental-health and addiction-related services. The new organization would serve nearly 18,000 patients and employ 700 people in 11 counties.
John Markley would continue as CEO of Centerstone of Illinois under the proposed agreement. Prairie Center CEO Bruce Suardini would become vice president of the combined companies' eastern region, while Jennifer Craig, interim CEO of WellSpring, would become chief operating officer.
A final agreement is subject to due diligence, plus legal and regulatory reviews.
