The Catalyst: August 2026

Greetings Friends,

Summer isn’t over yet, and there’s still plenty to look forward to across the Illinois Medical District. Since our last issue, the IMD Commission has continued building momentum through new initiatives, community partnerships, major development projects, and the adoption of a new strategic plan that will guide our work in the year ahead.

The FY2026–2027 IMD Commission Strategic Plan builds on our mission to advance patient care, medical research, and inclusive economic growth while serving as a catalyst for collaboration across the IMD. Priorities include completing the park at 2023 W. Ogden Ave., advancing Harrison Street improvements, launching a pilot Ambassador Program, strengthening wayfinding and marketing, using data to guide development, activating vacant land and lab assets, and improving core systems across operations, finance, governance, cybersecurity, accessibility, and grants. I look forward to sharing more about how these priorities will help create a more visible, connected, innovative, and welcoming IMD in the year ahead.

We closed out our fiscal year with fun and smiles on June 26, the IMD Pride Coalition hosted the inaugural IMD Pride Walk, bringing together employees and partners from across the IMD to celebrate Pride Month and the centennial of historic Route 66. Participants walked along Ogden Avenue to Urban Autism Solutions’ Growing Solutions Farm, promoting inclusion, wellness, and community while recognizing Route 66’s enduring legacy as a pathway to opportunity, connection, and new beginnings.

As Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, there has never been a better time to experience the historic corridor that began in Chicago and helped shape communities across the country. Ogden Avenue, which runs through the IMD, is one of the original alignments of the Mother Road and continues to connect visitors to the IMD’s rich history, world-class healthcare institutions, and growing community. That’s why The New York Times started their Route 66 journey at Lulu’s Hot Dogs in the IMD. Whether exploring centennial celebrations or discovering the IMD for the first time, Route 66 remains a powerful symbol of connection, opportunity, and progress. Learn more through Illinois Route 66 and Choose Chicago’s Route 66 guide. 

In case you missed it, we recently launched text message updates as a new way to stay connected with everything happening across the IMD. Sign up to receive timely notifications about events, community meetings, development projects, public safety information, and other important news delivered directly to your phone.

Construction continues to make steady progress on the new park at 2023 W. Ogden Ave., with major infrastructure work now complete and the site taking shape as fences come down and final improvements move into place. Scheduled to open this fall, the park will provide a vibrant new gathering space for residents, employees, patients, and visitors, marking another important investment in the IMD and the surrounding community. We’re looking forward to celebrating its completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony soon. Read on for the latest construction updates and what’s next.

On July 23, we welcomed members of the Chicago Health Executives Forum (CHEF) for an evening focused on innovation and the changing face of healthcare delivery. Healthcare leaders from across the region gathered at the IMD to discuss how emerging technologies, research, and collaboration are transforming patient care while reinforcing the district’s role as a hub for innovation, education, and healthcare leadership.

This summer, we were pleased to welcome Anjali Prabhakar as an intern with the IMD Commission. A recent graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Community Health and a Business minor, Anjali spent the summer working across multiple departments, gaining firsthand experience in community and economic development while contributing to projects that will have a lasting impact on the IMD. Her work included documenting construction progress at the new park on Ogden Avenue, researching award opportunities for the project, supporting TIF district revitalization efforts, exploring community data and capital planning strategies, and attending meetings with local and regional partners to better understand how collaboration drives progress across the district. We thank Anjali for her enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication throughout the summer, and wish her continued success as she begins the next chapter of her career.

Enjoy the rest of this summer issue as you catch up on the latest news from the IMD Commission and our partners. Thank you for everything you do to strengthen the IMD and the surrounding community. As always, I encourage you to support our local businesses, attend upcoming community events, and take advantage of the many opportunities to connect across the district. I look forward to seeing you around the IMD in the months ahead!

Sincerely,

Allyson Hansen

CEO and Executive Director

We’re getting closer to the fall opening of the park currently under construction at 2023 W Ogden Ave — the first new park for the IMD in 80 years.

Fences have gone up, crews have been busy this summer constructing one of the most important features of the park: the underground stormwater detention vault.

Detention vaults may be out of sight, but they play an important role in protecting neighborhoods from flooding during heavy rain. By temporarily storing stormwater underground and releasing it gradually, these systems help reduce flooded streets and basements, protect homes and businesses, improve water quality, and make it possible for communities to grow while building a more resilient Chicago infrastructure.

To learn more about the positive impact detention vaults have on our community, watch the video or above or to read the article, click here.

Keep an eye out for more information as we get closer to the fall for the opening date! For any questions, contact [email protected].

We’ve launched a new Getting Around page on the IMD website to make it easier for patients, employees, residents, students, and visitors to navigate the district. Whether you’re commuting to work, visiting a hospital, or attending an event, the page brings together essential transportation resources in one convenient location.

The new resource includes information on:

• CTA, Metra, Pace, Divvy 🚌
• Parking, EV charging 🚗
• Construction alerts 🚧
• Bike routes and digital bike routes 🚴
• Links to tools like ChiStreetWork, IDOT In Motion, and ParkChicago 📲

By consolidating these resources in one place, the page helps make traveling to and around the Illinois Medical District more convenient, accessible, and predictable.

For any questions or recommendations for how to improve this page, contact us at [email protected].

The Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) organizes several Community Councils that are open to members of the IMD community.

IMD Community Councils unite stakeholders to collaborate, share ideas, and address key issues, fostering connections and proactive solutions to strengthen IMD’s identity and create a thriving, connected district. Councils meet regularly throughout the year. In this issue, we are highlighting the work of our Government and Advocacy Council.

The IMD Government and Advocacy Council concentrates on legislative priorities and advocacy efforts, aligning District communications and messaging to support IMD goals and influence policy outcomes. The council’s activities focus on tracking and analyzing legislative developments impacting the IMD, providing regular updates to stakeholders on public policy and government affairs, and developing and implementing strategic advocacy initiatives to advance the IMD’s priorities.

Legislative reports are prepared by IMDC’s consultant on a weekly basis during the Illinois General Assembly legislative session (January-May). These reports are shared with council members to ensure awareness of bills of interest, such as those relating to healthcare, public bodies, and economic incentives. This information-sharing has led to robust discussion on council members’ concerns and priorities.

Quarterly meetings have strengthened relationships across institutions and agencies and created trusted forums for coordination and shared learning. The most significant project that has advanced with the active support and efforts of council members, many of whom wrote letters of support to the legislature in 2025, is the new park at 2023 West Ogden Avenue, which is scheduled to be completed in just a few months.

For any questions about this council, or any others, please reach out to [email protected].

Our partners continue to make meaningful impacts across healthcare, education, research, and community development — read on to learn about their latest achievements and initiatives.

The University of Illinois Chicago has received the inaugural Carl E. Wieman Award for Excellence from the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities in recognition of its leadership in student success and undergraduate education. The award honors UIC’s Chicago Roadmap 2.0 partnership with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago, which creates seamless pathways to four-year degrees while reducing barriers to transfer and degree completion.

The national recognition highlights UIC’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through innovative partnerships, coordinated advising, and student support services. Chicago Roadmap 2.0 has emerged as a national model for improving educational equity and helping more students successfully earn bachelor’s degrees.

Congratulations to UIC on this national recognition and thank you for your continued commitment to expanding educational opportunity and supporting student success.

UI Health has earned several national recognitions for patient safety and quality of care, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a 4-Star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and designation as a Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes. The honors reflect UI Health’s continued commitment to delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.

The latest achievements build on UI Health’s 2025 Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence and highlight years of work to strengthen patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, and provide exceptional care for communities across Chicago.

Congratulations to UI Health on these well-deserved recognitions — and thank you for your continued commitment to delivering exceptional care and improving the health of communities across Chicago!

Rush Copley Medical Center’s START Nurse Residency Program has earned Accreditation With Distinction the highest recognition awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program. The honor recognizes the program’s excellence in preparing new nurses through mentorship, professional development, and hands-on clinical experience, making it one of the nation’s leading nurse residency programs.

Since launching in 2010, the 15-month program has supported more than 500 new graduate nurses as they transition into practice. The accreditation also highlights the program’s strong preceptor model, focus on social determinants of health, community engagement, and commitment to fostering a supportive environment for new nurses.

Congratulations to RUSH for this recognition of their excellence in educating the nurses of tomorrow!

Cook County Health (CCH) and the Health Foundation of Cook County have awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships to 93 students pursuing careers in healthcare through the Provident Scholarship Fund. Since its launch in 2022, the program has invested more than $5 million in over 300 future healthcare professionals, helping reduce financial barriers while strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce.

The multi-year scholarship program supports students pursuing degrees in medicine, nursing, dentistry, behavioral health, and other healthcare fields, with an emphasis on serving underserved communities. By investing in the next generation of providers, Cook County Health is helping build a more diverse workforce and improve access to quality care across the region.

Thank you to CCH for your commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders!

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Women’s Health Department recently honored 25 Illinois Women Veteran Leaders for their outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to supporting fellow women veterans. Recognized at a ceremony at Malcolm X College, the honorees were selected for their efforts to strengthen communities, mentor others, and improve the lives of veterans across Illinois.

The annual recognition program celebrates women veterans who continue to make a difference long after their military service through advocacy, public service, education, healthcare, and community leadership. The event also highlighted the ongoing partnership between Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to expand resources, support, and recognition for women veterans statewide.

Congratulations to the 2026 Illinois Women Veteran Leaders and thank you to Jesse Brown VA Medical Center for your continued commitment to supporting and empowering women veterans across Illinois.

On a sunny day in August 2001, hundreds of supporters gathered to witness history as Mayor Richard M. Daley cut the ribbon to officially open our doors and forever change how Chicago serves children and families impacted by abuse and violence.

The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center is celebrating 25 years of serving children and families across Chicago through a collaborative, trauma-informed approach to preventing abuse, supporting healing, and strengthening child protection systems. Since opening its doors, the organization has brought together child protection professionals, law enforcement, medical experts, mental health clinicians, and family advocates under one roof to provide coordinated care for thousands of children.

As the organization marks this milestone, it is also expanding its impact through the launch of CAN Hope, Chicago’s first Family Justice Center, which will bring housing support, legal advocacy, counseling, and other critical services together in one location for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. This groundbreaking initiative builds on 25 years of partnership, compassion, and innovation while extending the Center’s mission to help even more children, families, and survivors across Chicago. Learn more about CAN Hope here.

Congratulations to the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center on 25 years of service, and thank you for your continued commitment to protecting children, supporting families, and strengthening communities across Chicago.

Growing Solutions Farm is a 1.2-acre urban farm in the operated by Urban Autism Solutions in the IMD that provides hands-on job training for Chicago public high school transition students (ages 16-22) with autism and related disabilities.

When

Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Fridays from 2 – 6 p.m.

Now through October 31

Where

Growing Solutions Farm

2200 W Campbell Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60612

Students learn to harvest food, follow food safety and sanitation guidelines, build raised beds, prepare soil, and maintain compost piles. They also gain transferable job skills by following directions, communicating with coworkers and supervisors, and managing tasks from start to finish. About 50 West Side students train at the farm during the school year. In the summer, 20-25 students work through the One Summer Chicago jobs program, earning wages paid by the City of Chicago.

The farm’s produce is sold at weekly on-site and community farm stands, as well as to restaurants and wholesalers. It also offers an eight-box CSA subscription, with all proceeds directly supporting vocational training programs.

Snow City Arts Gallery Night brings together Chicago’s healthcare, philanthropic, business, and arts communities to celebrate the creativity and resilience of young artists receiving medical care.

When

Friday, October 2 at 6 p.m.

6 p.m.: Cocktails, exhibition & silent auction

7 p.m.: Three-course dinner, program featuring student artwork, and paddle raise

Where

Venue West

221 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612

The evening features an exhibition of student artwork, live performances, dinner, and a fundraising program that supports arts education for children and youth in hospitals across Chicago.