Cook County Health announced today that it will be opening a new community health center at 467 E. 31^st Street, Chicago, in the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood.

“The Bronzeville Health Center represents Cook County’s ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-quality health care services,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “The health center holds the promise of not only addressing the immediate health needs of the community, but also fostering long-term improvements in health outcomes on Chicago’s South Side.” 

Bronzeville Health Center will join CCH’s portfolio of more than a dozen community health centers located across Chicago and suburban Cook County. As one of the largest public health systems in the nation, CCH is dedicated to creating access to high quality, comprehensive health care services to the residents of Cook County regardless of ability to pay.

“Physical and mental healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” said Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, who represents the county’s 3^rd District.

Anchored by CCH’s historic Provident Hospital, Bronzeville Health Center will offer family medicine, behavioral health, and rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. The 26,000 square foot facility is projected to see 85,000 visits in its first year and will include 44 exam rooms and a gym space for therapy services.

“At this health center, we will provide care for patients of all ages and stages of life. This includes preventive and primary care for children and adults, management of chronic conditions, pregnancy care and more,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Interim CEO, CCH. “Behavioral health services will also be integrated into this medical home to ensure patients are able to receive holistic, person-centered care.”

The family medicine and behavioral health practices are moving from their existing location within Provident Hospital’s Sengstacke Health Center into Bronzeville Health Center, which offers a larger, more modern space to better serve patients. The move also frees up more clinical space within Provident Hospital to allow for the expansion of hospital-based services, further enhancing access to care. Patients will continue to be able to receive comprehensive primary and specialty outpatient care at Sengstacke Health Center as well. 

Bronzeville Health Center represents the latest expansion of CCH’s services on Chicago’s South Side. CCH has spent more than $9M to grow clinical services and modernize the Provident Hospital campus since 2020. Now, the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management and CCH are investing $10M to build out and furnish the new Bronzeville Health Center.

“Through close collaboration between Cook County Health and the Bureau of Asset Management, our team was proud to provide support to secure the lease to this building, make critical upgrades to the site, and provide a safe, modern space to continue to serve the health care needs of Cook County residents,” said Elizabeth Granato, Chief, Cook County Bureau of Asset Management.

Bronzeville Health Center is expected to open fully in early 2025.

High resolution renderings can be downloaded here.

Under the leadership of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County is launching a community engagement series to help determine which American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) programs to continue once funding runs out in 2026. From the week of August 1 through September 13, the County will be sharing a community survey and holding a series of community events to gather input into its priorities.

With major programs such as the Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, the Medical Debt Relief Initiative and Violence Prevention grants currently funded through ARPA, community members will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on which programs the County should continue in the long run. Altogether, there are over 70 ARPA programs, but many of those were meant to be short-term, focusing on pandemic recovery.

ARPA, the largest investment in local communities since the New Deal, has also offered an opportunity to invest in long-term initiatives that can have a transformative impact on local communities.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in our communities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “When we devised our programs, we engaged tens of thousands of Cook County residents in the process, and as a result, we have some of the most innovative programs in the country.”

The County seeks to continue the groundwork laid by the community in the first round of ARPA engagement surveys and town halls. This round will focus on which programs to continue long-term.

“We greatly support community members participating in this important process,” said Mykel Selph, Deputy Chief of Staff for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “Taking a short survey or joining a local town hall will shape the future of Cook County and will have a lasting impact on our community.”

All community members are encouraged to participate in the survey by visiting arpa.cookcountyil,gov/survey. It’s available in six languages. Community members can also participate in town halls, which will be shared on the same website as they become available.

Welcoming the Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) will be held in Chicago between Monday, August 19-Thursday, August 22. Cook County Health intends to provide uninterrupted, high-quality health care to our patients and the community during the DNC and is prepared to respond to any additional needs that may arise during the event. CCH is proud to be supporting the response to the DNC that will showcase our incredible city and county on the national stage.

CCH has been in close contact with DNC organizers, as well as local and federal law enforcement officials, and other members of the Illinois Medical District over the past seven months to discuss logistics surrounding the convention that may impact hospital operations. We are holding regular internal planning meetings to ensure that the health system is prepared for any situation that may arise, including road closures, increased security needs, or medical surges. 

Cook County Health expects to maintain normal operations at all facilities during the DNC, including our facilities on our Central Campus near the United Center: Stroger Hospital, Professional Building, Harrison Square and Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center.

We expect greater pedestrian and vehicle traffic on Central Campus during the convention, especially during the late afternoon and evening hours. Patients who have appointments on Central Campus after 3:00pm are being offered the opportunity to reschedule or transition to a virtual visit if they choose. Patients with questions can call 312-864-0200.

Stroger Hospital and Provident Hospital’s Emergency Departments will be open and ready to provide care. Cook County Health also offers virtual immediate care for when you need to see a doctor but for non-emergency situations. You can see a clinician by visiting cookcountyhealth.org/expresscare.

CCH’s DNC-related updates will be shared at cookcountyhealth.org/dnc-updates/ and on our social media channels. You can also click here to sign up for DNC updates from the City of Chicago.  

If you would like to invite a representative from CCH to attend a community event, please send an email to events@cookcountyhhs.org.

To provide feedback on CCH Community News, please email Marcelino Garcia, Director of Community Affairs, at mgarcia6@cookcountyhhs.org.