...S&P Global Ratings affirmed its '##-' long-term rating on the Illinois Finance Authority's outstanding revenue bonds issued for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (Lurie Children's). Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center is the parent organization for the system, and we refer to the combined system in this report as Lurie Children's. The outlook is stable. The rating reflects Lurie Children's strong financial performance over the last several years, supported by solid demand for hospital services and management's ongoing focus on expense control. Over the last few months, Lurie Children's completed transactions with two independent physician groups, forming two new legal entities that now employ these physicians. This strategic transaction supports a stronger relationship with these physicians, and further solidifies Lurie Children's position in the competitive Chicago-area market. We note that Lurie Children's operating margin will likely decline in fiscal...
