Advocate Health has proposed a nearly $100 million plan for a comprehensive cancer center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. The initiative aims to consolidate outpatient oncology services that are currently scattered across the hospital campus. This significant development includes a two-floor addition to the hospital’s Center for Advanced Care and a modernization of existing outpatient laboratory space.
The project is estimated at $99.1 million, featuring approximately 77,605 square feet of new construction and the renovation of around 5,813 square feet of existing facilities, bringing the total to around 83,000 square feet, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. The new center is designed to enhance infusion, transplant, and cellular-therapy capacity while centralizing hematology and oncology clinics, reducing the need for patients to navigate different parts of the campus for treatment.
Details of the Cancer Center Proposal
Advocate’s application, submitted to the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board, outlines the project’s objectives. It focuses on the integration of various hematology and oncology clinics, an expanded transplant and cellular-therapy program, and improved infusion services. The plan also includes a revamped outpatient laboratory, additional space for clinical trials, supportive care, and patient navigation services.
Should the board approve the project, Advocate anticipates completion and full operational capability by the end of 2028. The approval process involves staff analyses, public comments, and potentially a public hearing before a final decision is made.
Context of Cancer Care Developments in Chicago
This proposal comes amid a competitive landscape for cancer care in the Chicago area. Duly Health & Care has already announced the opening of its Brian Moran Cancer Institute in Lisle, set for December 15, 2025, as part of its initiative to improve access to oncology services in suburban regions. Meanwhile, the University of Chicago Medicine is constructing a 575,000-square-foot cancer pavilion, slated to open in 2027, which will significantly enhance both inpatient and outpatient cancer care in Hyde Park.
Other health systems, including Endeavor Health, Northwestern, and Rush University, are also pursuing expansions in oncology services to meet the growing demand for outpatient care. Endeavor Health’s plans for Elmhurst are tied to a major capital project currently under review.
If Advocate’s proposal receives the necessary approvals, it would lead to improved oncology services and infusion capacity for patients in Park Ridge and surrounding north suburbs. The centralization of cancer care reflects a broader trend in healthcare, emphasizing outpatient services as a critical focus for investment.
Advocate Health has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the timeline or staffing plans associated with the new cancer center.
