State Board Approves New Lurie Children’s Hospital in Downers Grove

Lurie Children’s Hospital received the go-ahead from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to construct a new children’s hospital in Downers Grove. The board’s unanimous decision grants Lurie the final approval needed to move forward with its plan.

The proposed $480 million hospital will feature 48 beds, six operating rooms, an emergency department, and outpatient care space. Situated near the I-355 and Butterfield Road intersection, the facility aims to open in 2030. This new hospital marks Lurie’s first venture in providing inpatient beds outside its main Streeterville location.

Though smaller than the Streeterville facility, the Downers Grove hospital will offer nearby care options for western suburb residents. Currently, about 47% of children in this region travel outside their communities for overnight hospital care, according to Lurie. Dr. Tom Shanley, Lurie President and CEO, emphasizes the hospital’s role in reducing travel-related stress for families.

“Behind every one of those numbers is a child who needs care and a family navigating added stress,” Shanley stated.

The hospital will cater to low-acuity patients, such as those with respiratory illnesses or needing intravenous antibiotics. It will include a helipad for swift transfers to Lurie’s Chicago hospital for more complex cases. The board also approved the closure of Lurie’s Westchester outpatient facility, allowing services to transition to the new hospital.

Support for the project has been widespread, with endorsements from healthcare professionals and families alike. Many highlight the convenience of having a children’s hospital nearby, reducing travel time and stress.

With plans to enhance care access and relieve pressure on the Streeterville hospital, Lurie aims to optimize its use of space for specialized treatments. Dr. Marcelo Malakooti notes that by the end of the decade, additional space will be necessary.

While the approval marks progress for Lurie, it comes amid regional hospital closures of pediatric inpatient units. Due to low patient numbers, many community hospitals find maintaining such units financially challenging. In recent years, 27 pediatric units have closed in the Chicago area.

On the same day as Lurie’s approval, the board also voted to close the pediatric unit at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. Prime Healthcare, the hospital’s owner, reported minimal patient numbers as the reason for closure.

Prime’s decision underscores a larger trend of hospitals focusing on their core strengths. Dr. Sunil Patel of Prime Healthcare underscores the need for hospitals to specialize to remain viable.