Lurie Children’s Files Certificate of Need Application for New Pediatric Hospital and Outpatient Center in Downers Grove

Project would expand access to specialized pediatric care for children and families across Chicago’s western suburbs

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has filed a Certificate of Need (CON) application with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to establish a new pediatric hospital, emergency department and outpatient center in Downers Grove, a significant step toward expanding access to specialized pediatric care for children and families across Chicago’s western suburbs.

The Downers Grove campus (located in Esplanade at Locust Point in Downers Grove, near the intersection of I-88 and I-355 at 3300 Lacey Road) would complement, not replace, services at Lurie Children's main hospital located in Streeterville, Chicago. The proposed project represents a $480 million investment in children's health and would include a nearly 298,000-square-foot facility featuring a 48-bed hospital with intensive care capabilities, a dedicated pediatric emergency department, surgical services, advanced imaging, and comprehensive outpatient specialty care. The new facility would also consolidate services currently provided at Lurie Children’s Outpatient Center in Westchester. The project is expected to be funded through a combination of cash reserves, philanthropy and bond financing.

“At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to ensuring every child has access to the highest quality care when and where they need it,” said Tom Shanley, MD, President & CEO at Lurie Children’s. “As pediatric healthcare needs continue to grow across our region, this proposed facility would allow us to meet families closer to where they live while advancing our mission to deliver exceptional care, advance research and improve the health of children.”

The Downers Grove project reflects Lurie Children’s ongoing commitment to improving access to pediatric healthcare throughout Illinois. As demand for pediatric specialty services has increased and several hospitals in the western suburbs have reduced or eliminated pediatric inpatient services in recent years, families have faced greater challenges accessing specialized care close to home.

The project will improve access to care by reducing travel burdens, increasing appointment availability and providing convenient access to emergency, inpatient, surgical and outpatient pediatric services closer to where families live.

“Children are not simply small adults and they deserve care designed specifically for their unique needs,” said Marcelo Malakooti, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Lurie Children’s.  “This proposed hospital would help ensure that more families can access pediatric specialists, advanced treatments and emergency care from teams dedicated exclusively to caring for children.”

Lurie Children’s serves children from every county in Illinois and is the state’s largest provider of pediatric Medicaid services and remains committed to caring for all children regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay.

If approved, the Downers Grove facility would mark one of the most significant investments in pediatric healthcare in the western suburbs and further advance Lurie Children's vision of bringing world-class pediatric care closer to where children live, learn and grow.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will review the application as part of the state’s Certificate of Need process and The Village of Downers Grove will be reviewing site plans and renderings for zoning purposes throughout the next few months.

For more information, visit https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/downers-grove/ 

Rendering credit: LJC Design & Engineering and ZGF Architects

About Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of less than 35 nationally. This is where the top doctors go to train, practice pediatric medicine, teach, advocate, research and stay up to date on the latest treatments. Exclusively focused on children, all Lurie Children’s resources are devoted to serving their needs. Research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. It is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek.