For years, the future of the Champaign County Nursing Home in Illinois was debated, similar to deliberations taking place about many other county nursing homes around the country.

Finally, in May 2018, the Champaign County Board approved a controversial $11 million sale of the nursing home to Extended Care Clinical LLC and Altitude Health Services, a firm managed by William “Avi” Rothner.

The sale of the home and another rehab center in the area became official April 1. This week, the owners announced an intent to close the former Heartland of Champaign nursing home (now Champaign Living Center) this summer. The center sold for nearly $1.4 million in December, according to local reports. The 102-bed home is among three area homes bought by members of the Rothner family, according to local reports.

The state requires a 60-day notice in advance of closing a home; the Champaign Living Center has 45 residents, according to the News-Gazette.

Rothner, Altitude’s founder, declined to discuss plans for the properties with the newspaper. He owns shares in 16 nursing homes in Illinois, the newspaper reported. For more local coverage, click here.