ComEd Sues Vista Medical Center East as Waukegan Hospital’s Electric Debt Tops $2.2 Million

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — ComEd has filed another lawsuit against Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan as the hospital’s outstanding electric bill has climbed to more than $2.2 million amid continuing financial problems.

The lawsuit was filed August 28 in Lake County Circuit Court against American Healthcare Systems and Waukegan Illinois Hospital Company LLC, which operates Vista Medical Center East at 1324 North Sheridan Road. ComEd is seeking at least $1.45 million in unpaid electric charges, plus interest and court costs.

Vista’s most recent ComEd bill, issued August 18, showed a total balance of $2,273,703.65. More than $2.12 million was already past due, while another $147,486.92 in new charges was due September 2.

The latest charges included more than $118,000 for electricity used between July 14 and August 12 and nearly $29,000 in late-payment fees. Vista used nearly one million kilowatt-hours of electricity during that billing period. ComEd has also requested a security deposit of more than $196,000 that remains unpaid.

The new lawsuit follows an earlier case filed by ComEd over $822,321.51 in unpaid bills. Vista and ComEd reached a settlement in May 2025 under which the hospital agreed to pay more than $920,000 through a down payment and 16 monthly installments, while also keeping up with its regular electric bills.

Vista made a $92,010.42 down payment in April 2025 but did not make any of the required monthly installment payments. Two other payments posted to the account were reversed the same day.

ComEd reopened the case after Vista defaulted on the agreement. The hospital did not respond to the case or appear at court hearings, and Lake County Judge Charles Smith entered a default judgment of $822,321.51 against the hospital system on July 28.

The hospital’s electric debt has continued to grow. Vista owed about $493,000 at the end of August 2024. The balance increased to approximately $920,000 by August 2025, $1.28 million by January 2026, $1.84 million by May and more than $2.27 million by August.

The unpaid utility bills add to ongoing financial problems at Vista Medical Center East since American Healthcare Systems purchased the hospital in 2023.

Vista also owes more than $2 million in unpaid property taxes for 2023 and 2024, including interest and fees. A company that purchased the hospital’s delinquent 2023 taxes filed a petition for a tax deed earlier this year, beginning foreclosure proceedings against the property.

The hospital has also faced staffing and operational issues. Employees were furloughed in early 2025, workers experienced delayed paychecks in March and April, and a staffing company ended its contracts with Vista after going unpaid. That decision resulted in 34 employees who worked at the hospital losing their jobs.

Vista closed its labor and delivery unit in September 2025, citing millions of dollars in annual losses.

The latest ComEd lawsuit is scheduled for an initial case management conference November 4 at the Lake County Courthouse.