CHICAGO, IL – Together with faith and community leaders, elected officials, physicians and nurses, Advocate Health Care announced today that it will invest $1 billion to expand access to primary care, specialty care and wellness services on the South Side of Chicago. The plan calls for more locations across the South Side, more preventative programs and services, a new, state-of-the-art community hospital and more. This is one of the largest, long-term community-focused health care investments in the nation aimed at closing the 30-year life expectancy gap between individuals who reside on the South Side, and those residing and living longer on the North Side.(1)
The expansive investment in a wellness model is the direct result of an extensive community input process over much of 2024, which included more than 20 listening sessions and engaged hundreds of South Side residents. During these sessions, participants shared ideas and suggestions for improving access to outpatient and specialty care, using technology to improve care, providing robust health education and support for chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and building a state-of-the-art hospital to modernize inpatient care.
This new model, which was co-developed by the community, will help address the significant health inequities faced by so many on the South Side, including the fact that 84% of hospitalized South Side residents have one or more chronic conditions(2) such as hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, mental health needs, substance use issues and renal failure. The sad reality is that there are four times as many diabetes-related deaths on the South Side than on the North Side.(3)
“The health disparity gap the South Side communities face keeps me up at night, and I am proud of the commitment Advocate Health Care is making to change that for generations to come,” said Dia Nichols, President of Advocate Health Care, who oversees operations in Illinois. “I am passionate about EVERYONE getting the care they need – equitable care.”
“We have built a model that gets at the heart of chronic disease and wellness through much greater access to extensive prevention, health management tools and education designed to help South Side residents live their healthiest lives,” said Michelle Blakely, PhD, President of Advocate Trinity Hospital. “We need to provide the community with the necessary resources to stay well – where we live, work, play and worship – and that takes a comprehensive plan.”
Watch Advocate’s video summarizing the investment (or download it here).
“The monumental investment Advocate Health Care is making on the South Side of Chicago will expand access to world-class health care and represents a critical step towards advancing equity – serving as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we prioritize the health and well-being of our communities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In addition to expanding access to state-of-the-art health care facilities, this investment will also expand workforce opportunities in the region. I commend Advocate Health Care’s commitment to create a brighter future for the community and thank everyone involved in making this vision a reality.”
"Advocate Health Care’s historic $1 billion investment in the South Side represents more than a commitment to health care—it’s a promise to the people of Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This visionary initiative, rooted in the voices and ideas of South Side residents, takes direct aim at the systemic inequities that have persisted for generations. By expanding access to quality care, addressing chronic illnesses, and fostering sustainable job opportunities, this investment will not only enhance health outcomes but also empower and uplift entire communities.”
Highlights of the $1B investment include:
Over $500 million is devoted to expanding outpatient care, embedded in the community.
- Adding 85,000 new appointments annually, making it easier to access both primary care and specialists.
- Establishing Advocate Health Care Neighborhood Care locations – ten new locations to serve the whole family; the first one opening in the coming months at the South Side YMCA and another two by next year. These conveniently located care sites will virtually connect patients to Advocate providers in familiar places – churches, community centers and more – to handle everyday health services like treating the flu, common cold, asthma, sore throat, yearly physicals, lab testing, chronic disease management, contraception and medication refills. The onsite medical staff will connect patients to primary care providers and needed social services like food, housing and transportation to medical appointments.
- As part of this commitment, Advocate’s financial assistance program is designed so no one goes without care due to financial barriers. Patients who can’t afford to pay can automatically qualify for free or discounted care through presumptive eligibility – no application required. Advocate is committed to health care affordability, and its financial advocates will help patients navigate and understand if they will incur any out-of-pocket costs prior to their appointment.
- Expand the Imani Village outpatient clinic to add immediate care with more doctors, more services, more appointments and shorter waiting times.
- Add a mobile medicine vehicle that will provide primary care access at sites across the community – taking medical care directly to where it is needed.
Advocate epidemiologists and researchers reviewed 2 years of data for a group of patients who were served in a facility located on the South Side of Chicago. Patients who visited primary care had better clinical utilization, fewer new chronic disease diagnoses and better managed chronic disease during the following year (compared to patients who had not visited primary care).
The research found patients who visited primary care during Year 1 were 14% less likely to be hospitalized during Year 2 (compared to patients who did not visit primary care during Year 1), in addition to:
- 33% decrease in uncontrolled diabetes
- 24% decrease in uncontrolled high cholesterol
- 21% decrease in uncontrolled hypertension
- 23% less likely to have avoidable emergency department visits
This research demonstrates that increasing access to primary care can positively impact the community by reducing the burden of chronic diseases that are the primary contributors to lower life expectancy.
"The South Side YMCA is delighted to be the first location for Advocate’s new Neighborhood Care location,” said Dorri McWhorter, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “This important partnership is a natural extension of our commitment to health, wellness and health equity in neighborhoods throughout Chicagoland and the wonderful relationship our two organizations already have.”
“This investment is a statement of belief in the people and the future of the South Side of Chicago. This is part of a renaissance of this vibrant community, creating access to world-class care while fueling economic growth and opportunity. From South Lake Shore to 95th Street, together we’re building a healthier, stronger, and more equitable future for all,” said Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
More than $200 million will be invested in hospital and outpatient programs and services, expanding management of chronic disease and addressing social factors that affect health, like access to healthy food, housing, transportation and prescriptions. This includes:
- Expanding access to pharmacy services with free prescription programs for patients in need and medication home delivery for patients with limited access to a retail pharmacy. Additionally, Advocate is piloting pharmacy kiosks at select locations to increase access to over-the-counter and prescription medications.
- Growing Advocate’s Food Farmacy program that distributes fresh produce and healthy staples to patients with metabolic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes by doctors’ orders.
- To address black maternal and fetal health, Advocate will greatly expand access to pre- and post-natal care by adding 5,000 annual OB-GYN visits plus a robust new set of programs and wrap-around services that address the entire pregnancy journey, including patient navigation, education, medication, connection to midwives and social workers.
Spending $300 million to build a new state-of-the-art hospital at the former U.S. Steel South Works site near the lakefront that will replace the current Advocate Trinity Hospital building, which is more than 115 years old.
- Advocate has an agreement to purchase 23 acres of land where it plans to build a 52-bed hospital with 36 medical surgery beds, four ICU beds, eight dedicated observation beds, a four-bed dialysis unit and an emergency room with 16 beds/bays. This will enable Advocate to expand services and beds if community need warrants, but currently there is an excess of hospital beds on the South Side. Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health show that less than 50% of hospital beds on the South Side are being used, on average.(4)
- In addition to providing inpatient care, the new hospital will have a cardiac catheterization lab, an enhanced emergency department and leading-edge diagnostic testing and imaging, including new services like robotic surgical procedures. It will utilize the latest medical technology to assess, triage and connect with specialty physicians quicker and more efficiently.
- The cutting-edge technology in the new facility represents much more than health equity; it also symbolizes progress towards environmental justice for the community. For decades, South Side communities have had to live with the effects of disproportionately high levels of pollution and inadequate green space. The new hospital will be LEED certified and carbon neutral, a leader in environmental sustainability.
- Our design will embrace environmental design considerations such as bird-safe technology to deter collisions, native and adapted plantings supportive of migratory birds, butterflies and other pollinator species, and stormwater management systems to integrate green infrastructure solutions to prevent pollutants from entering Lake Michigan and the Calumet River.
- Prior to constructing the new facility, Advocate will remediate any environmental issues and will transform the currently vacant property into a state-of-the-art healing environment with green spaces and access to surrounding parks and the lake. Click here to see an artist’s concept of the new hospital.
- The current Advocate Trinity Hospital on 93rd Street will continue serving patients until the new hospital is built and has opened, ensuring a seamless transition of care. Once the new hospital opens and the current hospital closes, Advocate will demolish the site and create green space while working with local elected officials, the City of Chicago and the community to determine the best use of the property.
"This is a transformative moment for the 7th Ward, especially for the South Shore and South Chicago communities,” said Greg Mitchell, 7th Ward Alderman. “For over 30 years, this vacant site has stood as a symbol of disinvestment and missed opportunities that have deeply impacted the entire Southeast Side. The new state-of-the-art hospital represents far more than a building. It’s a significant investment in the 7th Ward and a powerful catalyst for revitalization.”
“We are on the precipice of a groundbreaking shift for the South Side. Advocate’s investment will reshape health care with a model that prioritizes equity, community collaboration, and real solutions. It’s part of a future where every resident has the support, resources, and care they need to truly thrive,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Another part of the $1 billion investment is $25 million focused on workforce development because disrupting the root causes of health inequities on the South Side also requires having a good paying job with good benefits.
- Advocate plans to keep every one of its teammates currently working in the South Side and is committed to hiring more than 1,000 new teammates within the next three years in a variety of roles and levels of expertise throughout the South Chicagoland service area to care for the community and support this work.
- Advocate will be hosting job forums and deploying a new state-of- the-art recruitment on wheels van that allows it to connect with students and potential teammates one-on-one to assess skills, interests and talents and connect them with employment opportunities.
“As a daughter of the South Side, I'm thrilled Advocate Health Care is investing $1 billion into the health of our community. This investment will provide meaningful solutions to address the health disparities that have long affected our neighborhood,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Thank you, Advocate Health Care, for your commitment to improving health outcomes that will benefit the South Side for generations to come.”
“We are working to solve a complex issue that requires a comprehensive plan,” said Blakely. “We are very excited about this unprecedented $1 billion investment, and we are optimistic about what we can accomplish together with the community to improve health and wellness on the South Side.”
To learn more, visit: MyVoiceMyHealth.com
Community Excitement: What Others are Saying
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle: “This is a powerful moment of breakthrough—health systems, communities, and government coming together to turn long-standing neglect into a beacon of progress and opportunity for the South Side. Additionally, the new carbon-neutral, all-electric hospital isn’t just a healthcare milestone—it’s a symbol of environmental justice for a community that has faced pollution and disinvestment for far too long.”
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin: “I salute Advocate’s commitment to improving health outcomes on Chicago’s South Side. These historic investments advance the aims of our HEAL Initiative to address the root causes of health disparities and support the local workforce while providing places of healing and hope for thousands of Chicagoans.”
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth: “This billion-dollar investment is an historic commitment to expanding access to high quality health care state of the art facilities on the South Side. Thanks to Advocate Health Care, this investment will also help advance our efforts at the federal level to improve health outcomes and tackle the problems that create health disparities throughout the city.”
State Rep. Curtis Tarver (25th District): “This investment by Advocate Health Care is literally going to save lives. It is going to improve lives. More than simply a building, this hospital provides the community with an opportunity to see the pride of its future. My hope is that Advocate’s commitment will be a catalyst that entices additional investment to this community that has waited too long.”
Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02): "Black and Brown communities in the South Side of Chicago have long suffered from preventable and treatable health conditions — it's unacceptable. This historic $1 billion investment toward a new health model, developed by and for South Side residents, will help lift up everyone's well-being and quality of life. Access to primary care, preventative services, and a brand-new hospital right in Illinois' Second District will have a lasting, positive impact for generations to come."
Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore (4th District): “Throughout this process, Advocate’s leadership has been a model of transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration. This open dialogue has resulted in a facility that not only meets the highest standards of modern medicine but also reflects the unique needs of our community. I am honored to work alongside Advocate’s leadership to bring this vision to life in the 4th District and will continue to advocate for initiatives that improve the quality of life for the people of Cook County.”
Commissioner Ciere Boatright, Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD): “Advocate is helping to catalyze economic development and expand jobs by building the first brand new South Side community hospital in 100 years. But it's more than bricks and mortar: It's an authentic, holistic approach to neighborhood investment that prioritizes the wellbeing of people and families. I’m eager to support Advocate’s ongoing commitment to address pervasive health disparities. Advocate's investment will have a huge impact on the health equity of the neighborhood, the South Side and the city.”
Kimberly Hobson, CEO, South Side Healthy Community Organization: "As CEO of the South Side Healthy Community Organization, I understand the critical need for resources to address health inequities and expand access to care. This investment is a bold step toward creating a healthier future for our residents, strengthening our healthcare infrastructure, and empowering our community. We are excited to collaborate with Advocate to maximize the impact of this transformative commitment."
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon: “I applaud what I consider to be a seismic investment in health care for the South Side. This is a transformative investment in the community the hospital calls home.”
Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward): “For too long, the 8th Ward and the entire South Side of Chicago have lacked the infrastructure and resources the community deserves. Advocate Health Care’s investment ensures a future where healthcare is accessible, equitable, and focused on the needs of the people who live here. I’m honored to have been part of years of planning and collaboration that have culminated in this moment. This investment is a powerful step forward, ensuring that healthcare, economic growth, and community well-being are at the center of a brighter, healthier future.”
Director Elizabeth Whitehorn, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS): “The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) applauds this effort to further healthcare equity on Chicago’s South Side and to invest in improved health outcomes for South Side residents. HFS looks forward to continuing to work with hospitals and other healthcare providers on efforts to transform the health ecosystem in underserved communities. We are excited to see the positive impact this project will have for South Side residents.”
A.J. Wilhelmi, President & CEO, Illinois Health and Hospital Association: “Advocate Health Care’s historic investment on Chicago’s South Side is a transformative moment for healthcare in the region. This visionary initiative, anchored by a commitment to health equity, exemplifies the innovation needed to address disparities that have persisted for far too long. By expanding community-based care, tackling social determinants of health, and establishing a state-of-the-art hospital, Advocate is investing in underserved communities and providing a powerful blueprint for the future of healthcare. The Illinois Health and Hospital Association congratulates Advocate on this exciting and innovative community-focused project.”
State Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr (33rd District): “This $1 billion investment is a game-changer for the South Side. It’s a statement that healthcare, opportunity, and progress aren’t distant goals—they’re the foundation we’re building here, together, to uplift every corner of our community. As a cancer survivor, it’s great to see such a big investment going into preventative care in our neighborhoods to foster long-term wellness, resilience, and hope. We are building the future right now.”
Ald. Peter Chico (10th Ward): “This announcement is part of the transformational change occurring on the Southeast Side of Chicago. After years of disinvestment, we are now seeing a resurgence in our community. I want to thank Advocate Health for their commitment and realizing the promise of the people who live in our neighborhoods.”
Christy George, President & CEO, Intersect Illinois: “Healthcare is an essential part of one’s quality of life, and this game-changing investment for the South Side will improve the lives of many Illinoisians and spark more regional investment.”
Dr. Janette Wilson, Rainbow PUSH Coalition: "Advocate's investment on Chicago's South Side is a meaningful and impactful action that will provide important support to those who most need it. At Rainbow PUSH, we are grateful to a community-driven institution like Advocate, working to build health equity where we need it most.”
Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry (3rd District), Vice Chair of the Cook County Health Board of Directors: “This commitment will help foster the end of healthcare inequity in communities which have been characterized by disinvestment for decades, while ensuring the fundamental right which each of us possess—that is the right to receive necessary healthcare. Healthcare is a fundamental right—not a privilege. Advocate’s transformational investment will serve as the bridge to healthcare equity for residents of the South Side of Chicago and the Southland for generations to come.”
State Senator Robert Peters (13th District): “The South Side has waited far too long for meaningful investment in our health care infrastructure, but today marks a turning point. Advocate Health Care’s commitment to building a new hospital is more than bricks and mortar – it’s a promise to address deep disparities in health care access, prioritize prevention and build pathways to wellness and opportunity for every resident.”
State Rep. Kam Buckner (26th District): “The stark reality of a 30-year life expectancy gap between the South Side and other parts of Chicago is a call to action we cannot ignore. It’s also an opportunity to create lasting change. Advocate’s investment is a courageous and necessary response, tackling disparities with expanded access to care, prevention programs, and innovative solutions that will save and change lives.”
State Rep. Nicholas K. Smith (34th District): “Years of intention, collaboration, and listening have now culminated in this moment. Advocate Health Care’s investment is the result of a deep commitment to the South Side—a commitment to closing gaps, building infrastructure, and creating opportunities. It’s a powerful step forward, ensuring that health care, economic growth, and community well-being are at the center of a brighter, healthier future.”
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (6th District): “Advocate Health Care's recent investment represents a significant step forward for South Side residents, affirming their right to quality healthcare. This initiative will play a crucial role in addressing the disparities in health outcomes within the region. Preventative care and meeting people where they are is essential to this effort, and Advocate Health is tackling this challenge head-on. I am particularly excited to see a focused effort on addressing maternal health disparities, an issue that I have championed as a Commissioner. This investment is a testament to Advocate Health Care's commitment to improving health equity and access within our communities. I applaud their dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of South Side residents and beyond.
Curt Bailey, President, Related Midwest: “The addition of a state-of-the-art Advocate hospital marks a significant milestone for the Southeast Side— one that will not only deliver essential healthcare services, but also advances our vision of creating a powerful, multifaceted economic engine for the area. Advocate’s investment and commitment will add 1,000 new employees and catalyze future investment that brings complementary uses to the 8080 DuSable Lake Shore development, the 7th Ward and the surrounding South Chicago neighborhoods. Our ability to secure yet another anchor institution underscores our commitment to redevelop the site. We look forward to welcoming Advocate to this transformative development.”
(1) New York University School of Medicine 2019.
(2) 2019 South Side Resident Adult Inpatient Encounters by Comorbidity Count
(3) Diabetes related deaths per 100k residents, IDPH 2015
(4) IDPH 2022, Inventory of Health Care Facilities and Services and Need Determinations
Media Contacts
MediaRelations@aah.org
About Advocate Health Care
Advocate Health Care is the largest health system in Illinois and a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. One of the state’s largest private employers, the system serves patients across 11 hospitals, including two children’s campuses, and more than 250 sites of care. Advocate Health Care, in addition to Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin and Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, is now a part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.