Advocate Health has proposed a nearly $100 million investment to establish a comprehensive cancer center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. This ambitious plan aims to consolidate scattered outpatient oncology services into a single, more accessible facility. Hospital officials indicate that the initiative will significantly enhance the capacity for infusion, transplant, and cellular therapy, improving the patient experience by centralizing services that currently require multiple trips across the hospital campus.
According to the application submitted to the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board, the project is estimated to cost $99.1 million and will include approximately 77,605 square feet of new construction, along with modernization of about 5,813 square feet of existing space. This will result in a total of around 83,000 square feet dedicated to oncology services. The proposed two-floor addition will connect directly to the existing Center for Advanced Care.
Features of the Proposed Center
The comprehensive cancer center will integrate various hematology and oncology clinics, expand the transplant and cellular therapy program, and enhance infusion services under one roof. The project will also modernize an adjacent outpatient laboratory and create additional space for clinical trials, supportive care, and patient navigation services. Hospital leaders emphasize that this consolidation is designed to streamline patient care, making it easier for individuals to access necessary treatments without navigating a sprawling hospital layout.
The Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board is responsible for evaluating such major hospital projects. If the board accepts Advocate’s application, a staff report will be prepared, followed by a period for public comment and, if necessary, a hearing before a final decision is made. The board’s role is to ensure that projects align with community needs and do not duplicate existing services.
Context within the Chicago Healthcare Market
Advocate’s proposal comes at a time when competition in the cancer care sector is intensifying in the Chicago area. For instance, Duly Health & Care is set to unveil the Brian Moran Cancer Institute in Lisle on December 15, 2025, as part of its strategy to enhance oncology access in the suburbs. Additionally, the University of Chicago Medicine is currently constructing a 575,000-square-foot freestanding cancer pavilion, expected to open in 2027, aimed at expanding both inpatient and outpatient cancer care.
Other local health systems, including Endeavor Health, Northwestern, and Rush University, are also pursuing significant expansions of their oncology services to meet the growing demand for outpatient care. Endeavor’s plans for Elmhurst are linked to a major capital project currently under state review.
For patients in Park Ridge and surrounding suburbs, the new cancer center represents a crucial enhancement in local healthcare services. It promises to deliver concentrated oncology services and increased infusion capacity, reducing the need for patients to travel between different hospital buildings.
Advocate Health did not provide immediate comments regarding the timeline or staffing plans for the center. If approved, the project is expected to be completed and fully operational by the end of 2028, marking a significant advancement in cancer care accessibility for the community.
