Statement: Health & Hospitals Commitee of the Board Public Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 24, 2003
Statement of Illinois Medical District Commission.

The Illinois Medical District Commission's (IMDC) Mission is to support its major institutions in their endeavors of treatment, research, and teaching for the betterment of all Illinoisans. The IMDC also is directly responsible for the successful operation of the 56-acre Chicago Technology Park life science business "incubator" complex within the District. In addition, for the past several years, we have been working in our District Development Area south of Roosevelt Road as our part in revitalizing the Near West Side of Chicago. Within that development area is the site that the University of Illinois at Chicago is currently competing to attract a $200 million National Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The Illinois Medical District Commission was an early supporter of the construction of a new hospital facility. Our support remains strong and we commend all those involved who brought the hospital's opening into reality late last year. Just as the 90-year old County Hospital structure replaced an earlier, historic facility, it is the nature of healthcare to shed the outmoded for the next generation of often more humane and effective delivery systems.

As the final new hospital facility plan evolved, the project was assessed in accordance with the applicable ordinances and development controls. As a result, the Commission advised Cook County and City of Chicago officials in 1998 and 1999 that the old Cook County Hospital should be demolished due to the excess 45% site coverage ratio near the hospital area as well as the lack of a viable economic plan to redevelop the old facility, or to operate both the old and new facilities concurrently. We stand by the decision. Moreover, no plan has been presented to us which reduces our site concerns regarding site area coverage or is less costly than the actual demolition of the old facility.

The Commission pledges to work with President Stroger and the County Board as well as our colleagues with the City of Chicago to review any new options they may be considering. Some possible plans appear to be in discussions amongst the Cook County Commissioners in addition to plans drafted by those dedicated to historic preservation.

The City and world have changed many times over since the County broke ground on the new Stroger Hospital in 1998. Government budgets at all levels across the nation have had to rethink how they handle many aspects of their programs and operations, including major real estate or facility issues.

An economic recession and the Stroger Hospital's official bioterrorism response designation (in conjunction with Rush Medical Center) in a post-9/11 society may require new planning that would, understandably, not have been contemplated in the late 1990's. While the Illinois Medical District Commission has held steadfast to its development principles for over 60 years, we have also worked with our major institutions to adapt to change when it seemed the wiser course of action.

The Commission will not change its position on the demolition of the old County Hospital facility unless feasible and conforming proposals are forwarded that also lower the excess building site coverage for the area. Further, any development must meet the intent of the statutes establishing the "special use" District, the Commission, and its authority. The Commission's statute does not contemplate general or affordable residential development within the District. Dormitories, rehabilitation housing, senior, or other specialized population housing are closer to the statute's conforming uses. Finally, the Commission is required to conduct a public hearing on District projects related to use as well as economic viability. Should the County "turn over" the project to a third party developer, the Commission would be required to conduct the appropriate due diligence to ensure the project could be successfully financed and completed.

Other recent projects in the Illinois Medical District include the construction of the Rush University Cohn Biomedical Building, Enterprise Center II Tech Park Facility, City of Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, the new University of Illinois College of Medicine Facility, the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, the Core Center, a major VA Chicago Hospital expansion, and support agencies such as the Red Cross and Federal Bureau of Investigation Centers. There are also many other organizations like the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired who find the District's support infrastructure valuable. Many of the aforementioned projects leverage greater federal funding, create high tech jobs, or efficiently serve a population in need.