The Orland Park Village Board voted Monday, August 18, 2026, to approve a $275 million cancer treatment center and parking structure, a major expansion of Northwestern Medicine’s sprawling campus near Centennial Park in the southwest suburb. The four-story facility will include infusion stations, diagnostic imaging, and radiation treatment services, representing one of the largest healthcare construction projects in the Chicago suburbs.
The project received a significant boost from a $225 million donation from the private St. George Foundation, which shares Northwestern Medicine’s desire to advance healthcare for residents in the southwest region. The donation is among the largest philanthropic contributions to a suburban medical facility in the Chicago area and underscores the growing trend of private foundation investment in community healthcare infrastructure.
Board member John Lawler praised the project as a significant amenity for the village. “I think it’s going to be a great amenity to the village,” Lawler said. “We do have some aging population here, and obviously, not having to go downtown for treatment, you’re going to get it out here in Orland Park, which is just a great add to our community.” The convenience factor is particularly important for cancer patients who require frequent treatment visits.
The approval included modifications to accommodate the project. The board allowed the building to be constructed 30 feet rather than 50 feet from existing wetlands, adjusted the maximum building height to 51.5 feet from 50 feet, and eliminated a landscape buffer requirement along the east side of the lot. Mayor Jim Dodge described the modifications as relatively minor and worth approving as an incentive for development. The 484-car parking garage will serve patients and staff at the new facility.
Northwestern Medicine is still awaiting final state-level approvals, expected in September. Construction is slated to begin in the fall and wrap up by 2029. A hospital spokesperson said additional information about the project will be available in the coming weeks. The timeline allows for a phased construction approach that minimizes disruption to the existing medical campus operations.
The cancer center adds to a growing medical corridor in Orland Park. The village is also seeing a planned expansion of the University of Chicago Medical Center in its downtown area. Mayor Dodge said the combination of Northwestern and University of Chicago facilities will help Orland Park maintain its status as a destination for world-class medical care. Trustee Michael Koczwara noted that the existing space in Northwestern’s Orland Park campus will also see expanded services once the cancer center opens, potentially adding primary care and specialty practices.
The $275 million investment represents continued confidence in the southwest suburban market despite broader economic uncertainty in the healthcare sector. The project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs and create permanent medical and administrative positions once operational. For Orland Park, the cancer center reinforces the village’s strategy of positioning itself as a regional healthcare destination, attracting patients and medical professionals from across the southwest suburbs and beyond.
Chicago Tribune and Chicago Tribune – Northwestern Medicine Orland Park
