Big changes are on the horizon for Chicago’s South Side as Advocate Health Care has announced a transformative $1 billion investment to enhance healthcare access and services in the region. This ambitious plan includes a new state-of-the-art hospital and expanded outpatient care facilities, all designed to address the community’s pressing health disparities.
The centerpiece of the investment is a $300 million hospital to be built on the former U.S. Steel South Works site. Replacing the 115-year-old Advocate Trinity Hospital, this modern facility will feature 52 beds and expanded emergency services, all set to open in 2029. Until then, Trinity will continue to serve patients before being demolished to make way for green space.
Alongside the hospital, Advocate is allocating $500 million to develop 10 new neighborhood care centers. The first of these centers is set to open at the South Side YMCA in Woodlawn, offering primary and specialty care to local residents. These sites will provide an additional 85,000 annual appointments, bringing much-needed healthcare options closer to home.
In addition, $200 million will go toward addressing chronic conditions, improving maternal health, and tackling social determinants of health that impact life expectancy. With a life expectancy gap of 30 years between Chicago’s North and South Sides, this investment aims to make a meaningful difference in closing that divide.
Advocate’s plan isn’t just about healthcare—it’s about uplifting the community. The project is expected to create over 1,000 full-time jobs and has been shaped by input from more than 20 listening sessions with South Side residents. This community-driven approach reflects Advocate’s commitment to fostering wellness, economic growth, and health equity.
With this historic investment, Advocate Health Care is redefining what healthcare can look like on Chicago’s South Side, bringing quality care, opportunity, and hope to neighborhoods that need it most.
Josh Benson
