CHICAGO, June 2, 2026 – Advocate Health Care marked a major milestone in its long-term commitment to Chicago’s South Side with the groundbreaking of a new, $300 million, state-of-the-art community hospital at the former U.S. Steel South Works site near the lakefront.
More than 300 community members, elected officials and partners gathered for the ceremony, which included remarks and a ceremonial groundbreaking to formally launch construction of the new hospital.
The new hospital will replace the more than 115-year-old Advocate Trinity Hospital and serve as a modern center for inpatient, emergency and specialty care. The project is part of Advocate’s $1 billion investment to expand access to care across Chicago’s South Side – including new Neighborhood Care Sites, expanded outpatient services, new workforce development initiatives and a modern hospital to ensure high-quality care is available when residents need it.
“In parts of Chicago’s South Side, the average life expectancy is nearly 30 years shorter than just a few miles to the north. That’s not acceptable—and it’s why we’re here,” said Eugene Woods, CEO of Advocate Health. “This $1 billion investment — including the first new hospital in this community in more than a century — is about more than buildings. It’s about giving every person a real shot to live their healthiest life, and creating upward mobility through good-paying jobs, support for local businesses, and clear pathways into healthcare careers. At its core, this is about long-term, generational change.”
The investment was shaped by extensive community input gathered through dozens of meetings and listening sessions with residents, faith leaders, and community organizations across the South Side helping to inform priorities around access, prevention and long-term community health and wellness. More details on the $1 billion investment can be found here.
“This moment reflects years of partnership with the South Side community and a shared commitment to doing something different,” said Michelle Y. Blakely, PhD, president of Advocate Trinity Hospital and the South Side Transformation. “We’re not just building a hospital—we’re building a model of care with our neighbors that expands access and helps people live healthier lives for generations to come.”
When completed, the new hospital will include:
- A 52-bed facility with medical-surgical, ICU, observation and dialysis beds
- A modern emergency department with 16 treatment bays
- Advanced diagnostic imaging and testing
- A cardiac catheterization lab and robotic surgical capabilities
- Smart technology designed to make care more seamless, connected and patient-centered
In addition to clinical spaces, the campus will feature areas designed for the community, such as a respite space, walking paths and a community garden, recognizing that health is shaped not only by the care provided, but by the environments created.
The facility is also designed with sustainability in mind and will be LEED certified and carbon neutral, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental stewardship.
“This groundbreaking represents a major step forward for healthcare on the South Side, bringing a new, modern hospital with advanced inpatient, emergency and specialty care to the community while strengthening the broader model of care we're building,” said Dia Nichols, president of Advocate Health Care, who oversees operations in Illinois. “Just as important, it reflects our long-term commitment to investing in the health and well-being of this community for generations to come.”
Advocate Health Care is committed to retaining all teammates currently working on the South Side and hiring 1,000 new teammates by the end of 2027 across a range of roles throughout the South Chicagoland service area. The effort began in 2025, and 566 new teammates have already been hired.
Elected officials also recognized the significance of the milestone.
“Today’s groundbreaking is proof of what’s possible when we invest in our communities — expanding access to care, creating jobs, and building a stronger, healthier future for generations to come,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This new, state-of-the-art hospital will strengthen services and help move the South Side forward.”
“This is what it looks like when we invest in people and communities that have been overlooked for far too long,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Advocate Health Care’s $1 billion commitment—anchored by a new hospital on the South Side—brings critical care closer to home, expands opportunity, and affirms that every neighborhood in Chicago deserves world-class health care.”
“Breaking ground on this new hospital represents more than the start of a construction project—it marks the moment we bury the past and begin building the future of the 7th Ward on the former U.S. Steel site,” said 7th Ward Alderman Greg Mitchell. “This is a decisive investment in our community’s future: worldclass healthcare, real job creation for South Side residents, and a catalyst for the longterm economic revitalization that will transform our neighborhoods and change the trajectory of the 7th Ward.”
The existing Advocate Trinity Hospital on 93rd Street will remain open and continue serving patients until the new hospital is completed and operational, ensuring uninterrupted care for the community.
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