Lurie Children's expands to Chicago suburbs with new $480M hospital in Downers Grove

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has won state approval to build a proposed pediatric hospital and outpatient center in Downers Grove, clearing a major hurdle for a project designed to bring specialized children’s care closer to families in the western suburbs. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the hospital’s Certificate of Need application, according to the hospital's announcement.

The facility is expected to cost about $480 million and will be Lurie Children’s first inpatient hospital outside its main campus in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the press release confirmed. The project is intended to reduce the need for families in the western suburbs to travel outside their communities for emergency and specialized pediatric services.

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Hospital planned near I-355

The proposed development is expected to include about 298,000 square feet of space, 48 inpatient beds, an emergency department, operating rooms, diagnostic imaging and outpatient services. Planned specialty areas include oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics, per the press release. 

“This approval represents an important step forward in our commitment to meeting the needs of children and families across the region. By expanding our presence in the western suburbs, we have an opportunity to make high-quality pediatric care more accessible and convenient for families while continuing to deliver on our mission,” Tom Shanley, president and CEO of Lurie Children’s, said in a statement, according to the press release.

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Excavation set for December 2026

Following the state approval and pending the release of permits from the Village of Downers Grove, Lurie Children’s expects to begin site excavation in December 2026. The hospital is targeting its first patient in spring 2029, the announcement confirmed.

Marcelo Malakooti, Lurie Children’s senior vice president and chief medical officer, said the project reflects the health system’s effort to understand families’ needs and address barriers to pediatric care.

The approval allows Lurie Children’s to move ahead with local zoning, permitting, and construction planning for a new regional hub for pediatric emergency care and specialized treatment.