CHICAGO — A new state-of-the-art health wellness center is coming to the West Side of Chicago thanks to the Illinois Senate Democrat-backed Rebuild Illinois plan.

“Health equity is — and always has been — one of my top priorities,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “Access to quality health care should be a right — not a privilege. By bringing this facility to the West Side, we are signaling to local residents we notice the inequity and inequality and our system and we are committed to doing something about it.”

A total of $20 million in funding through the state’s historic Rebuild Illinois Infrastructure Plan — a multi-year plan supported by Aquino — was allocated to establish a new state-of-the-art Humboldt Park Health Wellness Center as well as support infrastructure throughout the hospital.

The new Humboldt Park Health Wellness Center will serve as a low-cost community hub for area residents to access exercise equipment, individual and group fitness classes, swimming facilities, community gathering spaces, and much more. The facility will increase access to preventative care and early interventions for the predominantly Latino community, which in turn greatly reduce hospitalizations and lower medical costs.

The funding allocated for the project comes after a law passed in 2021 which was spearheaded by Aquino and a number of his colleagues to increase access to community-based health services and create innovative collaborations that bridge gaps in the delivery of care. The Hospital and Healthcare Transformation bill committed to investing $150 million into collaboratives that fill health care gaps and focus on underlying health conditions in areas high on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social vulnerability index scale, communities that were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and areas served by critical access and safety net hospitals, including rural parts of the state.

“Healthy, joyful individuals contribute to safe, robust communities. By investing in the new Wellness Center, our state is working to create recreational opportunities and improve health outcomes with fitness facilities, nutritional counseling and other wellness tools,” said State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “Individuals in the Humboldt Park community have endured disproportionate health-related concerns both historically and throughout the recent pandemic—this center is a critical step to ensure equity for students, working families, and especially older residents.”

The center is set to open 18 months after construction kicks off this summer.