The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago held a massive ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday at 225 E. Chicago Avenue Monday. NBC Chicago’s Charlie Wojciechowski reports.
One of Chicago's most well-known children's hospitals is taking the first steps to officially opening its new doors.
The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago held a massive ribbon-cutting ceremony at 225 E. Chicago Avenue Monday. Many dignitaries attended the celebration, including Sen. Dick Durbin.
"It's a proud day for Chicago and a great day for American families and the Midwest," Durbin said.
The $855 million new Streeterville facility is located on Northwestern University's downtown campus. It replaces the Children's Memorial Hospital located in Lincoln Park for more than a century.
The world's tallest children's hospital stands at 23 stories. A pedestrian bridge connects the hospital to Prentice Women's Hospital, making it easier to transport sick newborns.
Hospital staff will move up to 200 patients from the old hospital to the new one using dozens of ambulances this week, according to a hospital statement.
Lurie's Children's Hospital, which has 288 private rooms, will officially start admitting patients Saturday.
A garden named after former Mayor Richard Daley's late son was dedicated in April.
