Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine will likely finalize its partnership agreement with Crystal Lake, Ill.-based Centegra Health System by the end of the year, according to the Northwest Herald.
Spokespeople from both institutions told the Northwest Herald the parties are in the due diligence process of finalizing the merger, which is subject to regulatory approval.
Officials said there is no financial component to the merger.
If approved, the deal would create a 10-hospital system. The institutions signed a letter of intent to explore an affiliation in April 2016.