Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced March 1 that the state would resume denying property tax exemptions to hospitals that behave more like businesses than charities. His action meant hospitals could lose millions of dollars each year.

But two months later, the state has taken no action on 17 pending tax exemption applications. That's despite calls from advocates to make hospitals live up to their missions and provide more free care for the poor.

The silence is raising concerns that the decisions are getting embroiled in wider negotiations in Springfield between the state and hospitals and that Quinn may be feeling pressure from the influential hospital industry. The industry is traditionally a top contributor to political campaigns.

The governor's office denies a hold-up, saying the decisions are complicated and take time.