Advocate Health Care Breaks Ground On State-Of-Art Hospital On South Side

CHICAGO— 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. The expansion includes 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, in a news release. “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.

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. This recognizes that health is shaped not only by the care provided but also 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.

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.