Chicago Politics

Advocate Trinity Hospital Groundbreaking 6.2.26

Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the Advocate Trinity Hospital Groundbreaking.

Transcript

0:01 Good morning, everyone. You can tell by the smile on my face how excited we are about being in this space at this time. I first want to start off by thanking the Leo High School Choir for that performance.

0:33 They are such a strong reminder of the talent, pride, and future we have right here on the south side of Chicago. And thank all of you for being here. Before we begin, I want to take a moment to recognize and thank our elected officials and agency leaders joining us today. Mayor Brandon Johnson, who's up here with me, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Senator Robert Peters, Senator L.G. Sims, Representative Marcus Evans.

1:16 There you are. I've been in all of these offices, so I have to recognize. Representative Nicholas Smith, Representative Cam Buckner, Alderman Greg Mitchell, Alderman Peter Chico, Alderman Michelle Harris, Alderman Ronnie Mosley, Alderman William Hall, Commissioner Stanley Moore, Commissioner Donna Miller, Commissioner Sierra Boatwright, and Commissioner William Chiefs.

2:26 There are also a couple of supporters who were with us on this journey but couldn't be in the room, and that's Deputy Governor Grace Hull and Representative Curtis Tarver, who sent me a lovely message this morning about how late he was working last night. Some of you may know about that. And so he couldn't make it. So standing here today is meaningful for so many reasons. I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, not far from him, And this is the community that is home for me.

2:57 And it is wonderful as a hospital administrator to have the privilege to actually work in a community that is your home. You don't always get that opportunity. So for most of you who don't know my journey, I've worked in six different states. I've worked in 14 different hospitals. And so to actually be in a place where I have roots, I know the community when I'm out talking with the community, this is more powerful than people can ever know in looking at my governing board, as I say that.

3:35 I also have the privilege of having my mom and my brother out in the audience, and so this is especially personal for us. For more than a century, Advocate Trinity Hospital has served this community, more than a century. Our patients, physicians, and teammates deserve a space designed for how care is provided and delivered today with the flexibility to meet the needs of the future.

4:05 This groundbreaking didn't happen overnight. It's the result of years of listening, partnership, and follow-through with the community. And for those who are out there in the community with me as I'm looking at your faces, we know the work that it took to create this moment. So today marks an important step forward. the groundbreaking for a new state-of-the-art hospital.

4:39 Our community deserves it. This room represents it. And now it is my pleasure to welcome Reverend Dr. Otis Moss for our invocation. What a joy it is to be here at this moment. for this groundbreaking. And so let us bow our heads in prayer at this moment. Gracious and most merciful God, in whom we live, move, and have our very being,

5:14 may you consecrate this ground, that this may be a space of healing, that every human being who crosses the threshold of this hospital may experience not only your hand, but also feel the power of being treated with dignity. We thank you for the good trouble that Advocate Healthcare is getting into to ensure that everyone, whether you are on the south, the west, or north, or east side of Chicago,

5:50 shall be treated with dignity and there will be a space of healing. May all those who work in this space, with the weight that is on their shoulders, may they exit from this hospital knowing that they are called to do great work. We thank you for what shall happen in this space. We thank you for the healing that shall take place. We thank you for the holy mischief that will happen here and for all of the healing and blessings that are to come.

6:25 And we are grateful to be a part of this moment and this day. We offer this prayer in your name. And the people of God who gather in this space and are excited to see a Southside Hospital rise up may say amen. Bright new day for the South Side of Chicago, a day shaped by this community, its voices, its hopes, its shared belief in a better tomorrow.

7:06 They actually ask the community first what they want. When you see this type of commitment, you cannot help but know that the commitment is real. Together, we are breaking ground on a new, fully electric and carbon neutral state-of-the-art hospital that will bring leading-edge care to all. Situated on 23 acres of lakefront property, thoughtfully designed and equipped with the latest technology, so everyone can access the safest, highest quality treatments, supports, and specialists, right here, close to home, in comfort and beauty.

7:45 But today isn't just about a building. It's about what we're building together all across the South Side. Powered by community and strengthened by Advocate Healthcare's $1 billion investment. This investment represents one of the largest healthcare investments in the nation. Now you have the ability to be able to get healthcare right in your community. That's what community healthcare is all about. More access, more prevention, better outcomes, longer, healthier lives.

8:17 Today, we are excited to have four community-based neighborhood care locations and two mobile health locations. Over the course of this year and beyond, we'll be opening a total of 10 neighborhood care locations to provide even more convenient, easy-to-access primary care in the community. We'll have more pre- and postnatal care, 85,000 additional appointments, $200 million to manage chronic disease and address social factors that impact health such as food, housing, transportation, prescription medications, and $25 million invested in workforce development to support current teammates and hire 1,000 more to care for our community.

9:03 And when it's needed, this $300 million hospital right in the neighborhood. Together, we are laying the foundation for change, building with the South Side for the South Side, creating more moments of hope and healing so that everyone has the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives today and for generations to come.

9:43 How about that video? So two years ago, I stood in front of this community. And I made a commitment, or we made a commitment. We made a commitment to this community, and I'm here today because we meant every single word of that commitment.

10:20 The health gap between the south side and the north side of Chicago, and you all know this, It's beyond unacceptable. And to fix that gap, closing that gap, takes a slightly different approach to health care, and it takes an approach that you saw rolled out in that video, one that brings care closer earlier in ways that this community just hasn't seen before.

11:00 And the model that you saw rolled out in that video, we're already doing that work all across the south side of Chicago. Getting care closer to home, getting care upstream before people become patients in the hospital. But oh, by the way, should people in this community need a new hospital, we happen to

11:34 believe that that hospital should be state-of-the-art. Should people in this community need a new hospital, we happen to believe that that hospital should be world-class. And folks, that's what we're building right here, right now, right where we're standing

12:05 or sitting right here, a world-class, state-of-the-art hospital replacing Advocate Trinity, built for the future of the South Side. And this is not just a replacement hospital. It's a reinvestment. Say that with me. Say reinvestment. You didn't know there was going to be a crowd participation portion of today. And today marks a major step forward. And this kind of change doesn't happen on its own.

12:36 It takes alignment. It takes partnership. It takes people willing to do things differently. It happens when communities and teammates and partners and leaders come together around a shared purpose. And this has always, always been collective work. And as we move forward, that same type of partnership, that same generosity, generosity, that same shared commitment is going to matter just as much in carrying this work forward as it did in getting us here today.

13:08 And when you combine that kind of community partnership with the strength and the scale and the shared purpose of Advocate Health as a national system, the bold investments like the one we're making here today, they become possible, because we're bringing resources and we're bringing innovation and we're bringing opportunities to these communities that we feel so privileged to serve, right?

13:38 And I'm going to say this, and I'm giving limited time here. I'm going to say this, and I'm going to sit down. Investments like this don't just happen without leadership willing to step up. Investments like this don't just happen without leadership willing to make bold commitments and follow through on them.

14:09 And folks, Gene Woods. Gene Woods has believed in the future of the South Side from the door, from the very beginning. He's believed in the importance of investing in communities that too often get overlooked. He believes in the importance of investing in communities that too often get walked away from, too often get marginalized.

14:43 That's what Gene believes. He believes that... Every community deserves access to quality of care, and that if you want to create real change, then you have to back those commitments with action. And because of Gene's visionary leadership, we're celebrating today, and I'm going to end where I started. Two years ago, we made a commitment. We made a promise.

15:13 And I'm here today because we're delivering on that promise, And I'm going to bring to the microphone the man that's responsible for bringing this promise to action. Ladies and gentlemen, the CEO of Advocate Health, Mr. Gene Woods. Good morning, Southside.

15:46 I need to feel a little more love up here. Good morning, Southside. So, Dia, thank you for that introduction. I was hoping to keep it short, but thank you for that. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your passion for this community. Thank you for guiding the work that leads us here. and to our Advocate Health teammates from the South Side, serving the South Side, bringing this vision to the South Side, let me start with you. So today we have Trinity teammates, including those who were born at Trinity

16:18 and those who have worked at Trinity for over 30 years. If you're here, please stand up. To you and to the teammates back at the hospital working, watching this live streaming, we say we are grateful for you, and this is actually for you. So thank you. To Mayor Johnson, to elected officials, to pastors, to faith leaders, to community partners, to donors, thank you for your encouragement.

17:03 Thank you for your support. And thank you, above all, for your prayers. So I want to start with a quick reflection. When we first came together as Advocate Health over three years ago, my very first visit here was to Trinity Hospital. and I had read all the briefings. I had a three-inch binder full of briefings that I read before my visit. So I knew all the numbers, I knew that the challenges were real, and I knew that the status quo was not sustainable.

17:35 But what I experienced at that hospital when I first visited, I learned why it was so special. Now, I've been doing this for 35 years, and I've rounded at hundreds and hundreds of hospitals. I have never felt so welcome as when I walked through the doors and the hallways of Trinity Hospital. So as I walked in the lobby, I saw a line of teammates on both sides of the hall, pom-poms, cheering.

18:05 And so I made it through the whole hallway. Then I turned around another hallway, and there was more teammates cheering. And so I was doing a double high-five down the road, and then I went through another hallway, And then there was more teammates cheering. And I kind of felt like I was coming out of the Bears locker room onto Soldier Field. You know that feeling? And I remember thinking something is different here. And then I met with the physicians. I met with them in a conference room. And they didn't start with what was broken.

18:36 And they didn't start with a long list of grievances. They started with their quality scorecard. They showed their outcomes that were the best of any place anywhere, and they had the receipts to prove it. And they said, they told me this, we know things need to change. We want to be part of that change, but please do not abandon the South Side because too many other people have.

19:11 So I left there that day knowing three things. The culture was extraordinary, the quality was real, and the commitment to community ran deep. And I remember thinking, it's not going to be easy, because if it was easy, somebody would have already done it, but we're going to figure out what's best, and then we're going to do what's right. And that is what brings us here today. Now, this is bigger than health care, bigger than the first new hospital on the south side in nearly 100 years.

19:42 This is also about opportunity. You heard the video, you heard Dia talk about, we made a commitment to a thousand new jobs of hiring folks from this very community. And I got the numbers Friday, and we've hired 566 to date. And we're on track to hire 700 by the end of the year.

20:12 Now, I don't know if you saw that recruitment ban as you were coming in. Let me just say this, that's not a prop. That is where careers start, one conversation at a time, meeting people where they're at. And if you go into that van, you also see virtual reality, allowing candidates that have interest in a particular job, finding out what that job might actually look like. So this is about elevating both health and opportunity. So let me just kind of pivot a little bit and share something a little personal.

20:44 So I grew up, the earliest recollections I had is listening to the blues. My father had the blues on the turntable all the time. Buddy Waters, all the Chicago greats, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy. He played it on vinyl, and he played it on reel-to-reel. Now, some of the younger folks don't know what reel-to-reel is. I was way before Spotify, it was before M3P, it was up before CDs. I lost him at turntable.

21:18 But what I appreciate is the blues was not just about music. It was about truth. It was about resilience. It was about how people carry both their joy and their pain and keep it moving forward. And so what's personal about this moment for me is a couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to play guitar with the legend himself, Buddy Guy, here in Chicago. and I held my own for like 30 seconds those that were there might say it's 20 seconds

21:48 but I think it's 30 seconds and you know if you heard Buddy Guy how he plays guitar he bends that string right to the edge feels like the guitar is crying feels like the guitar might even break well that sound was born here on the south side and for a long time this community has been singing the blues a 30 year gap in life expectancy over a couple miles away to the north. And 30 years, folks, is not a statistic. It's the difference between like a grandfather being able to hold their grandchild, right?

22:22 That's what 30 years means. Singing the blues about a lack of investment, a lack of jobs, and having to leave this community for care. So today is about changing that tune. And we are here because we heard the voices and we acted on them because the message that we heard was loud and clear. or you saw it in that video, is don't come half-stepping, don't come temporary, match the size to the need. And so that's exactly what we're doing. A billion-dollar investment, a brand-new, LEED-certified, carbon-neutral, technology-enabled, waterfront hospital.

23:06 Ten neighborhood care sites and trusted locations, including churches, mobile care sites, a food pharmacy, because food is medicine. And we're bringing a commitment not just to treat illness. We're going to learn how to help people stay healthy and well right here on the South Side. And now, when we talk about investment, just take a moment, just take it in where we're actually standing. For decades, U.S. Steel's site sat vacant as a sign of what was lost, and today it becomes a sign of what's possible.

23:49 This will be a place of healing and opportunity. So when we break ground here in a few minutes, I want you to remember who it was for and what it took to get here. I want you to picture, when we're putting those shovels there, a grandmother getting preventative care early so her diabetes does not become a crisis. I want you to picture a father receiving emergency, life-saving care here so he can go home afterwards and teach his son how to ride a bike in this neighborhood.

24:20 It could be your grandma, it could be your grandfather, it could be your uncle, it could be your sister, it could be your children. That is who we're doing this here today for. So finally, I want to close by recognizing the Advocate Health Board, some of whom are here. If you could just wave your hands and be recognized. Tom, I see you there. Mark, I see you there. I see Michelle here. They, too, believed in the South Side. They, too, believed in making this investment, and I so much appreciate them.

24:51 I also want to thank our senior leadership team, who put countless of hours to get to this moment. We've got Dia Nichols, Michelle Blakely, Keneal Coltman, Colin Lane, Megan Woltman. Everybody, we had a whole team. Stand up if you had a role in this moment that we celebrate. Thank you. Thank you, thank you. It takes a village.

25:23 So I just want to end by recognizing someone who also has their fingerprints all over today. When this decision came before our board, our chair leaned in. She guided it forward with conviction. She made sure we did not flinch from our mission. And Michelle Richardson is a true daughter of Chicago.

25:54 Michelle built her career here at institutions like the University of Chicago, Chicago-Kent, and DePaul. And she's been the fabric of this community for decades and served on the Advocate Health Board since 2004. So she understands this community, not just professionally, but personally. And when this decision came forward, she made sure we showed up to deliver for the South Side. So, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a warm appreciation for Michelle Richardson.

26:39 Good morning, everybody. Good morning. And I'm just going to start by saying it's been a long time coming, but a change is coming to Chicago right now. Thank you, Jean, for that very kind introduction and for your leadership and your commitment to this community and to our vision and purpose. I want to double-click on the board of directors.

27:10 We sit at big tables and make a lot of decisions, but the board has a couple of important roles. The first and most important role is to select the right leaders with the right vision. And you've heard from those folks. These people all throughout this audience, these are the leaders that we are so proud to have, and they are doing the work. The board also gets an opportunity to really say and to imprint and say yes to the strategy that's developed by that incredible leadership team.

27:47 And that strategy is what brought us here today. And finally, the board gets to hold our leaders accountable for executing on that strategy. And so we are there. We will be there. And I really want to acknowledge again the board members, past and present. I see people who I served with back in 2004. But please acknowledge each of you. Please stand if you are in governance anywhere.

28:19 These are the folks that really helped to make some of this possible. Please stand. Board members, please. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. True partners. So Jean said, I am from the South Side. So I wasn't born here, but I became here. I became on the South Side of Chicago. This moment is more meaningful to me than I can say, as meaningful as it is to each and every one of you.

28:54 This community truly shaped who I am. I raised my family on the south side of Chicago. My husband worked in the ER. My son became a scribe in the ER at Trinity Hospital, and Trinity made him want to go into medicine. He just graduated from Emory University with his M.D., and he's going to become an O.B. So Trinity shapes, and it shapes through generations, and we will see that today.

29:26 Trinity is also where I receive my care. It's an important place, and it's a place that always, always felt special. It felt personal. It felt like coming home. And this moment, this homecoming moment, is just an incredible moment for us to celebrate. It's a place where trust, trust in the community is hard, trust from this community, hard fought and hard won.

29:59 The community has been disappointed many, many, many times. But getting the right leadership and marrying that leadership with the right strategy, right, and the people who will hold that leadership accountable, you can trust in that leadership. And that is why we are here today. So what's so special about this and about the vision that our leaders put before you is that it really wasn't a top-down vision.

30:30 It was something that was created with community. When we started this, our leaders said nothing about this community without this community. And that is what happened day by day by day. And it is what led to this moment. From the very beginning, the commitment was really simple. It was to listen, listen first, not to tell the community, but to hear from the community. And that is what we're so proud of doing.

31:02 What we heard was very consistent. People want care. They want the same care on the south side that they could get on the north side. They want care that is accessible. They want facilities that feel welcoming, modern, that respect them. And they want a health care partner that can be counted on to follow through. Your voices shaped us being here. So we thank you. We thank you for your commitment, and we thank you for holding us accountable for making this beginning come to fruition.

31:41 We know that it will be there. So I want to just be here for a brief moment to thank everyone who shared their time, their perspective, and most importantly, thank you for trusting in us to get this done. This moment exists because of that partnership. And so I have an opportunity here to bring to the stage and to welcome a wonderful leader who really has been an incredibly strong partner in advancing and investing

32:13 in communities across Chicago, most especially this one, Mayor Brandon Johnson. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Michelle, for that introduction. Good morning. Good morning. South Side. So, listen, stop showing out. Every time I come over here, y'all remind me who you are.

32:47 So, what's up South Side? It's a real, truly a beautiful day on the south side of Chicago, and I'm honored to stand with you all for what is not simply a groundbreaking ceremony, but it's a transformative moment for our city. I do want to acknowledge and thank our Chief Executive Officer of Advocate Health. Thank you, Mr. Gene Woods, the President of Advocate Health Care, Dia Nichols, the leadership of Advocate Trinity Hospital and the Southside Transformation Project.

33:19 But also I'm grateful for all the elected officials that are here, community stakeholders, labor partners, health care workers, and the residents whose voices help make this day possible. Today we celebrate something that's much bigger than a building. We celebrate a promise being fulfilled. We celebrate the community being seen. And we celebrate one of the most significant investments on Chicago's South Side in generations. For too long, communities on the South Side have been asked to wait.

33:50 Wait for investment. Wait for resources. Wait for the same opportunities that other neighborhoods have long enjoyed. Well, today, the South Side, we are done waiting. And today, we put shovels on the ground and we stake claim for a future where every Chicagoan, regardless of their zip codes, has access to world-class health care, world-class infrastructure, and world-class opportunity. Because let me be clear, this is a world-class city and our residents deserve the very best.

34:21 The people who live, work, raise families, worship, and build community on the South Side deserve nothing less than excellence. And that is exactly what this investment represents. For more than a century, Advocate Trinity Hospital has been a trusted institution caring for generations of South Side families. And through moments of joy and moments of crisis, this hospital has stood as a pillar of healing and hope. And now we are ensuring that legacy continues for the next century.

34:51 This new hospital will deliver modern emergency care, expanded specialty services, advanced diagnostic capabilities, updated inpatient facilities, and a state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure that residents truly deserve. And at this important juncture in our world's history, as we work hard to expand life but close the life expectancy gap between Southwest Side and other parts of the city, this investment will go beyond just health care.

35:21 This is about jobs as well. And this groundbreaking reflects the hard work of countless advocates and health care leaders, elected officials and residents who never stop believing that the South Side deserves this level of investment. And most importantly, it reflects the voices of community, because the community closest to the challenges are closest to the solutions. We listened to residents. We engaged with stakeholders. We heard directly from the families who will walk through these doors and depend on these services. And together we built a project that reflects the aspirations of a beloved community.

35:56 And today's groundbreaking sends a powerful message that the South Side is worthy of investment, that the South Side is worthy of innovation, that the South Side is worthy of world-class health care. So in closing, the South Side is central to Chicago's future. And that took a lot for a West Sider to say.

36:27 And no matter the rumors, I'm not moving over here. I'm just saying. I love my house on the West Side. But this is what happens when institutions and government and community leaders and residents come together for a shared vision. This is about progress. It's not just about development, it's not just about construction, but it's about transformation. And so today, as we break ground, let us break through old assumptions about what communities deserve and where investments belong. Let us continue building a Chicago where every child, every family, and every resident can see themselves reflected in the city's growth and benefit from its prosperity.

37:05 That is the work that is before us. That is the promise that we are keeping. And that is the future that we are building together. And now, please welcome the Alder of the Seventh Ward, Mr. Greg Mitchell. All right. Well, before I begin, let me do a little housekeeping.

37:37 Let me thank Advocate Health for its partnership, confidence in our community, and its commitment to the Southside residents who have long advocated for real investment and real opportunity. Your decision to build here demonstrates a long-term commitment to the future of this community. Good morning, everybody. Good morning. All right, just because I stuttered a little bit. I need a little bit more. Good morning, everybody. Good morning. Guys, you have no idea what's going on today. I'm excited.

38:08 I'm excited. Today is more than just a groundbreaking. It is a declaration, a declaration that the 7th Ward is moving forward with purpose, with strategy, and with the level of investment we have not seen for over 50 years. And let me say, even as we celebrate this moment, we are not done. The new Advocate Hospital is a powerful example of what happens when community vision meets community partners.

38:44 As a community anchor institution, Advocate understands that a commitment to health care extends beyond the walls of a hospital, Investing not only in clinical care, but also in the long-term strength of the communities it serves, creating jobs, expanding access to services, and strengthening neighborhood stability is not only the right thing to do, it's good business. This project is not an isolated wind. It is part of a larger, intentional strategy,

39:18 a strategy we have been building for years to restore stability, attract investment, and create opportunities across the Seventh Ward. Over the past 12 years, we have been laying groundwork for a transformation that is now becoming visible. Thank you, Ms. Largess. All right. We are standing on the north end of the former U.S. steel site, a place that for more than three decades has served as one of the clearest examples of how disinvestment can destabilize a community.

39:56 Lost jobs, declining home ownership, shuttered businesses, the effects of this decline have shaped the South Chicago and the Southeast side community. As the alderman for the Seventh Ward, there are a few moments more meaningful than seeing long, vacant land transformed by development that creates jobs, strengthens neighborhoods, and improves quality of life for our residents. Today's groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It marks another major step forward in the transformation of this site and this community.

40:35 For many long-term residents who witnessed this decline, today's ceremony is proof that a new chapter is being written. Last year, we broke ground on the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on the south end of this property. Today, we break ground on a world-class hospital on the north end of this property.

41:09 Together, these projects are laying the foundation for sustained economic growth and community revitalization across the southeast side. The new Advocate Hospital will bring world-class health care closer to home for thousands of residents while creating more than 1,000 jobs opportunities for people across the south side. Those jobs represent more than paychecks. They represent careers, economic mobility, and greater stability for families throughout the 7th Ward and the broader southeast side. This hospital will also serve as a catalyst for additional development, supporting local businesses,

41:44 encouraging further investment, and strengthening the economic base throughout the area. Most importantly, it sends a clear message. The Southeast Side is a place where major institutions are choosing to grow, invest, and build. For decades, this site was defined by what had been lost. Today it is being defined by what we are building and by the opportunities we are creating. The progress taking place here is a result of vision, persistence, and partnership.

42:19 And today we mark another milestone in the work to strengthen the 7th Ward and the entire southeast side. As the Alderman of 7-1, I'm going to take a liberty because I cannot talk about what's happening here without pointing out what's happening down the street. Thrive Exchange. Last week, we cut the ribbon, opening up the doors to this beautiful building on 79th and Exchange developer in the audience, Leon Walker.

42:54 I got you, Leon, from DO3. To support that Thrive Exchange, we partnered with Neighborhood Housing Services and Acquired and are now rebranding Star Plaza. And we are finalizing the acquisition of the buildings across the street. The plan is to demolish these buildings, redesign 78th Exchange to improve traffic flow and safety, and select a development project that complements Thrive Exchange and the long-term vision of the corridor.

43:26 And while the four vacant lots behind Star Plaza are not yet acquired, those lots, along with the adjacent city loan lots, remain part of the long-term vision for new condo development that strengthens and completes that corridor. In partnership with CDOT, we secured $24 million of a full streetscape and infrastructure upgrade along East 79th Street, a corridor long overdue for investment and now positioned to attract new development and new business. We employ new land use strategies along 79th and 75th Street corridors, effectively rewriting

44:00 the rules for development, making sure these corridors are more attractive to the types of businesses residents have been asking, in fact begging for. We are shifting from years of empty storefronts and properties to a corridor full of life and opportunity. We recognize both the challenges facing 79th Street and its boundless potential, but today We are closing and celebrating this future. We didn't stop at just building these beautiful apartments

44:32 because real city planning doesn't happen behind a desk, as noted by our planning commissioner, C.L. Boatwright. It takes boots on the ground. To support and protect this massive investment, we are moving to select a dedicated corridor manager for 79th Street. They won't be sitting in an office. They will be working directly with our property and business owners every single day. Their mission is clear. To reactivate this neighborhood core, market these sites to new investors, and leverage our city funds and grants to attract new businesses and to help existing businesses strengthen, expand, and remain part of the community's future.

45:14 Now, 79th Street historically served as a vibrant hub for shopping, transit, and public life. And by putting a partner right here on that block, we will ensure that the economic momentum started on the stage where it's down every single block, lifting the entire neighborhood along with it. We work closely with BACP to remove businesses that facilitate illegal activity while supporting those that uplift our neighborhoods. We held countless means with property owners and developers not to plead for investment, but to build partnerships rooted in shared responsibility and shared opportunity.

45:51 Through Commissioner Boatwright's missing middle program, we advanced the development of two-unit owner-occupied homes on the city-owned vacant lot right around the corner, on the 2,900 and 3,000 blocks of East 80th Place and 3,000 blocks of East 80th Street. This brings back the kind of housing that strengthens blocks and puts us in position to build generational wealth. All these projects, every one of them, are located either near 79th Street Corridor or in the South Chicago community.

46:27 This is not accidental. This is strategy. This is intentional. Coordinated revitalization. But we don't stop here. And yes, guys, I'm taking the liberty because this is a very proud moment for me. But our work didn't stop here. We secured funding for a shoreline feasibility study from 71st to 73rd Street, and in partnership with State Rep. Curtis Tarver, we secured an additional $5 million to support the implementation of the study's recommendations. We have completed the design phase for the reconstruction of South Shaw Drive US 41 and are actively seeking funding for the construction and restoration phase of these projects.

47:06 We are moving forward with the care house on East 75th Street, the first intergenerational care-based co-housing model in the nation, supported by a $5 million city grant toward its capital construction. We are drafting legislation to designate long-neglected properties as abandoned, giving the city the authority to take decisive action and move these properties into the hands of responsible developers. And for more than a year, my office has maintained a full inventory of properties in the 7th Ward, tracking tax status, code violations, status support cases, ownership in the condition,

47:38 So these properties can be bought into compliance and strategically acquired and redeveloped into the single-family homes, owner-occupied two- and three-flex, mixed-use buildings, and market-rate housing. We passed legislation to prevent the saturation of unnecessary gas stations. We worked with CPD, BACP, DOL, and the courts to shut down large residential buildings that harbored criminal activity,

48:10 including problem buildings on 7350 South Phillips and 75th and Kingston, with more under review. The message, we are not done. All of this, every project, every partnership, every piece of legislation is part of a long-term strategy to reverse decades of decline. Because the truth is simple, it takes more than one project to turn around a community that's endured generational disinvestment. It takes many projects, it takes many partners, it takes discipline, it takes vision and unwavering commitment.

48:43 From day one, I've been focused intentionally on steadfast and building the foundation for a stronger, safer, more prosperous 7th Ward. And now, because of foundation, the momentum is real, the investment is real, then transformation is real. But let me be clear. We are not done. We are not done bringing new housing. We are not done rebuilding our corridors. We are not done restoring safety and stability in our communities. We are not done attracting businesses that serve our residents. We are not done reclaiming vacant land and turning it into opportunity.

49:13 We are not done proving that the Seventh Ward is worthy of investment, respect, and pride. Advocate Hospital is a symbol, a symbol of what happens when the community believes in itself and demands better. And as long as I have the privilege of serving the Seventh Ward, I will continue to push, to plan, to partner, and to fight for the future the community deserves. Because the Seventh Ward is rising, everybody, a future is bright. And let me say it again, we are not done.

49:47 With that said, I want to bring up Dr. Pamela Cruz. Thank you, everybody. Hello everybody. As medical staff president of Advocate Trinity Hospital, today marks a long-awaited moment for many of our physicians who have dedicated their careers to bringing high-quality health care to the south side.

50:21 For those who have long served this community, today is not just a milestone. It reflects years of advocacy, persistence, and shared belief in what care should be. My own journey serving the South Side began more than 20 years ago when I joined the Advocate Trinity Medical Staff. Even then, it was clear, this medical staff is uniquely special, deeply committed to their patients and to a community that both needs and deserves excellence in care.

51:04 Our journey was not easy, but our medical staff never wavered. They continued delivering high-quality care, strengthened our team by recruiting talented physicians, and led outreach and philanthropy to expand resources and improve care across the community. Today, we stand together at an important moment. We are building a new hospital that reflects the needs of this community and the dedication of those who serve it.

51:49 As a hospitalist physician for more than two decades, I know the importance of timely, patient-centered care close to home. When it opens in 2029, the hospital will feature modern inpatient care and an expanded emergency department designed to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care and meet the community's needs today and into the future. The hospital will offer state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic services to support faster, more accurate care.

52:28 And throughout the hospital, advanced technology and a modern, thoughtful design will help improve patient outcomes and overall experience. In addition to clinical spaces, this campus will include areas designed for the community, including a respite space, walking paths, and a community garden, recognizing that health is shaped not only by the care we provide, but by the environments we create.

53:03 This all-electric facility is designed with sustainability in mind and will be built to achieve LEED certification, reflecting a commitment to both environmental responsibility and community health. Modern facilities matter. They allow clinicians to work more efficiently and focus on what matters most, caring for the patients we are so privileged to serve.

53:35 It's been a long yet meaningful journey. We thank our Advocate Healthcare Leadership Team for your vision and commitment to expanding access to high-quality care. And we thank our patients, the heart of this work, for trusting us with your care today and into the future. This tremendous effort reflects the perseverance, advocacy, and shared belief in what this hospital represents

54:07 and the promise of what it will continue to be for the South Side. And now it's my pleasure to introduce someone who is a valued member of this community and the dedicated teammate at Advocate Trinity, Kwasi Amea. Come on, Kwasi.

54:39 Good morning, everyone. How are we all doing today? Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here. My name is Kwasia Meal, and I was raised in the south side of Chicago, right here in the community that Advocate Trinity Hospital has been serving for many years. My mother, Linda, who's in the front row today, started her career. Let's give it up for her, please. No, she started her career here 20 years ago as a certified nurse assistant.

55:16 Now, while raising four kids, she got her bachelor's degree and her master's degree by taking advantage of the advocate educational support systems. And she didn't stop there. Over the years, she grew into her current role as a nursing professional development specialist, Mentoring, teaching, and supporting the next generation of caregivers.

55:49 See, growing up, Advocate Trinity wasn't just a place where my mom worked. It was part of our family story. I have some of my earliest childhood memories of Trinity. I watched firsthand how it improved my family situations and the opportunities that became possible because of it. So when it came time for my own career, I had choices. I couldn't have gone anywhere, but I chose to came home.

56:26 See, I started off as a pharmacy intern a decade ago. I became a clinical pharmacist, and today I serve as a pharmacy program coordinator at Advocate Trinity Hospital. See, one of the things that I'm most proud of is how Advocate is helping to bring innovative pharmacy services closer to the patients, including technology like our pharmacy vending machines that is improving access and convenience for the community that we serve.

57:00 This new hospital represents to me more than just a building. It represents opportunity for patients and family like mine. It's a place where people can grow, learn, and continue to serve the community that they love. just like my mom did and just like I hope to do for many years to come. Thank you for allowing me to share my story and for investing in a future

57:30 that makes story like mine possible. Now it's my honor to welcome back someone who has led this work with care and intention. Dr. Michelle Blakely, to close up with you. Can you see why I'm so proud of him? Thank you very much, Kwasi. And thank you for not only sharing your story, but your family's story.

58:04 As we thought about who would represent the community, we are blessed with the fact that Trinity employs generations. We employ generations. It is a family business. So it's a story that reflects generations of care, opportunity, and commitment right here on the South Side. I also want to recognize our key partners helping bring this vision to life. Power Ujamaa, our construction joint venture, our general contractor, Cannon Design,

58:35 our architect, and AMEG, our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design engineers. We are also grateful to Kurt Bailey, Mike Ellick, and DeWarn Gibson from Related Midwest, whose partnership made this purchase on this site possible, as I'm looking out at the people that made all of this come together. Thank you for being part of this work and for the community.

59:05 That's what today is about. Not just a building, but people. Not just an investment, but opportunity. Not just today, but what comes next. What you have heard today is real. This hospital is being built with the community and for the community. It will serve the patients who come through these doors, the physicians and teammates who show up every day to care for them,

59:40 and the neighbors who have waited a long time to see progress on this site. And today, the progress begins. We are building the next chapter of care on the South Side, a hospital designed for how care should be delivered. It's what this community deserves.

1:00:12 It happened because we listened to the community, because this community showed up and because we made a commitment and kept it. And we're not done yet, as the alderman said. We're just getting started. And so as you leave today, you'll take home a small planter. It's a simple reminder that what we are building here will continue to grow because this isn't just a hospital campus.

1:00:42 It is a place for community with walking paths and community gardens so health can extend beyond the walls of the building. What I generally say to the community when I talk to them is, I don't actually want you in my building because that tells me you need a hospital. We want you well. We want you living your best life. So please come and enjoy all that Advocate has to offer as we create health and wellness for you. The best days for health care on the South Side are ahead of us.

1:01:15 So let's mark this moment together with pride in what has been accomplished and excitement for what comes next. I invite my fellow speakers to join me. We're going to all stand, and we're going to move some dirt. So today, we are just breaking down. We move the South Side forward together.

Sources and methods: how we get and count this data · report an error