The move is expected to significantly lengthen response and transport times for communities that rely on Vista. In Zion, the fire and rescue department said it sends an average of 175 patients a month to the hospital. Those patients may now be taken miles away to Libertyville or other facilities.

"We hope and plan that the situations that caused the ambulance bypass are rectified as quickly as possible," Zion Fire-Rescue said in a statement. "It is extremely important that the northeast Lake County communities have a full-service hospital and emergency department in our area."

Other departments, including Beach Park and North Chicago, also issued statements about how the change would affect their communities. The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department said its crews may have to travel as far as 20 miles to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, or in some cases cross state lines to hospitals in Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

"We're a small department, and every long trip out of town leaves Winthrop Harbor with less coverage for the next emergency," the department said.

The bypass follows a series of financial and operational problems at Vista. The hospital's contracted anesthesia group suspended services in late October due to a lack of payment, according to a report from the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. The state health department also said American Healthcare Systems, which purchased the hospital in 2023, failed to make payroll. The private, for-profit group also owns Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, which has faced similar issues.

"Missing payroll is completely unacceptable and irresponsible–for hardworking physicians, nurses, employees, and most critically –patients," IDPH said in a statement. "Gateway and Vista are private, for-profit hospitals whose operations and finances are managed by American Healthcare Systems. Their lack of communication, transparency, and responsible financial management and contingency planning is extremely concerning."

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham described the hospital's troubles as an "ongoing breakdown" and called for American Healthcare Systems to sell the facility.

"For months, the city has watched a recurring cycle of financial missteps, administrative instability, and broken promises from American Healthcare Systems," Cunningham said. "Enough is enough. It is time for American Healthcare Systems to step aside, transition away from Vista Medical Center East, and sell the hospital to a responsible healthcare operator. The community deserves better."

The EMS bypass is the latest setback for Vista. In October, IDPH revoked the hospital's designation as a Level II trauma center for the second time in two years, limiting its ability to treat certain serious injuries. In July, the hospital faced foreclosure proceedings over $2 million in back taxes owed to Lake County. Late last year, it ended labor and delivery and obstetrics and gynecology services and announced cutbacks to its cardiac care hours.

The changes have raised concerns about access to emergency care in a region where Vista has been a critical provider. Fire officials say the longer trips not only delay care for patients but also leave their own communities with fewer ambulances available for the next call.

IDPH said it will continue to monitor the situation and notify departments when the bypass is lifted.