Government Relations
Being an advocate for children
Kids can't vote, and young kids often cannot advocate directly on issues affecting their health and well-being. That’s where we step in. As the only independent acute care pediatric hospital in Illinois and the premier safety net hospital for kids in the state, our commitment to children's health doesn't end at our doors. We advocate at the state and federal level to advance policies that protect and improve the health and well-being of all children in Illinois and beyond.
Our strategies include public education, legislative advocacy, and grassroots mobilization. Our experts and advocates meet with government officials, testify before committees, and provide expertise on the impact of policies on children and their families.
Speaking up to improve children’s health
Lurie Children's has always valued the open dialogue with leaders in Chicago, Springfield and Washington, D.C. With their partnership, we have the privilege of helping to influence public policy on matters affecting children's health and wellbeing. We are grateful to our elected and appointed officials and community partners for their shared commitment to improving the lives of children and their families.
Partnering on Child Health PolicyOur Priorities
We advocate for policies that keep children healthy and safe, grounded in our scientific and clinical knowledge, including:
- Protecting access to and strengthening Medicaid
- Boosting the pediatric workforce through increased funding for the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Program
- Addressing the youth mental health crisis
- Enhancing child safety, health equity, and well-being
- Making discoveries and advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect children’s health through adolescence and adulthood
View our Public Policy Priorities & Positions
As Illinois' largest provider of pediatric Medicaid services and the only hospital that cares for children from every county and legislative district in Illinois, we pledge to remain good stewards of their trust in our care.
Our Team
The Government Relations Team helps represent the A for Advocacy in Lurie Children’s model of CARE (Clinical care, Advocacy, Research and Education). As the health policy landscape grows more complex and unpredictable, strengthening our advocacy capabilities is essential to protecting our mission, advancing child health, and ensuring families continue to have access to the care and services they need.
Spotlight
Get Involved
Your voice can help make a difference for children. Connect with state and federal legislators to champion child health policies. To stay informed and take action when it matters most, sign up to receive legislative action alerts from Lurie Children's here or by emailing Ally Sledz at asledz@luriechildrens.org.
Contact Us
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Government Relations
225 E. Chicago Avenue Box 80
Chicago, IL 60611