When communities talk about economic development, the conversation often centers on manufacturing hubs, corporate headquarters, technology, retail development and infrastructure. Those investments matter, of course. But there is another powerful economic engine that deserves equal attention: healthcare.
A world-class healthcare institution does much more than treat patients. It creates jobs, attracts highly-skilled professionals, supports surrounding businesses, encourages innovation, keeps economic activity close to home, and strengthens the overall quality of life that makes a community competitive.
That is front and center in Zion, where City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago has become an important part of the region’s healthcare and economic landscape. City of Hope’s presence in Lake County goes beyond medical care. It represents an investment in people—and, by extension, an investment in the future of the community.
Healthcare Makes Communities More Competitive
For communities competing for businesses, residents and investment, quality healthcare is an increasingly important asset. Companies want to locate where their employees and families can access high-quality medical care. Professionals want to live in communities where advanced healthcare is available close to home. And families making decisions about where to live consider the strength of local institutions, schools, amenities and healthcare systems.
In that sense, healthcare can become part of a community’s competitive advantage.
City of Hope is particularly well positioned to contribute to that advantage because its mission extends beyond conventional cancer treatment. City of Hope Chicago is part of one of the nation’s largest cancer research and treatment organizations, with more than 2,000 cancer experts and a national network focused exclusively on cancer. Its research enterprise includes more than 790 clinical studies each year, giving patients opportunities to access emerging therapies before they become the standard of care.
The City of Hope network is also an international leader in cellular therapies, including CAR T therapy, and has performed more than 20,000 bone marrow transplants. Bringing that level of expertise to Lake County means patients in the region do not necessarily have to travel elsewhere to find highly specialized cancer care.
“City of Hope is dedicated to bringing the highest standard of cancer care to every person who needs it,” notes Pete Govorchin, president of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago. “Together, we’re breaking down barriers to early detection, timely treatment and prevention for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Healthcare Attracts & Nurtures Talent
Leading-edge cancer treatment not only attracts talent, it nurtures it. Physicians, nurses and other clinical professionals are only part of the equation. Major healthcare institutions employ people in information technology, finance, human resources, facilities, food services, administration, communications, research, patient services, security, maintenance and countless other fields. That means the economic impact of a healthcare institution extends far beyond the people wearing scrubs.
City of Hope’s approach to attracting and retaining talent is particularly relevant to Lake County’s broader economic development goals. The organization emphasizes an inclusive and collaborative workplace, employee recognition, professional development and opportunities for employees to participate in community service.
This year, City of Hope Chicago was named one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in U.S. Healthcare. Together with the City of Hope Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in Orange County, the Lake County hospital ranked among the top 150 healthcare organizations nationwide—and was the only cancer-center organization represented on the list.
That kind of reputation matters. A community that can attract highly educated physicians, scientists, nurses, researchers, technicians and other professionals becomes more attractive to other employers and institutions looking for talent. In economic development, talent attracts investment—and investment attracts more talent.
“Lake County’s long-term economic success is reliant on people. Our community is known for its talent, and we are fortune to have a strong ecosystem of leaders who work together to ensure that Lake County’s workforce has the skills and training needed to support rewarding careers and sustain business growth,” notes Kevin Considine, Lake County Partners’ president and CEO. “City of Hope is one of those leaders that works locally to cultivate talent and create meaningful career pathways.”
Earlier this year, City of Hope hosted students from Lake County Tech High School, giving them opportunities to meet clinical and non-clinical professionals and gain firsthand exposure to the many careers involved in cancer care.
That kind of experience can change a student’s understanding of what a career in healthcare looks like. A student may arrive thinking healthcare means becoming a doctor or nurse and leave realizing there are opportunities in technology, research, laboratory science, finance, human resources, facilities, communications, patient services and dozens of other fields. Those connections are precisely what workforce development is about: helping young people see a path from education to meaningful employment.
City of Hope Chicago leaders are also participating in broader workforce development efforts. For example, Amy Van Strien, director of human resources, serves on the Lake County Workforce Development Board, helping connect individuals with career opportunities while supporting the workforce needs of local employers and demonstrating the important role that major institutions play in the community’s long-term success.
Healthcare Drives Innovation
Few industries demonstrate the connection between economic development and innovation as clearly as healthcare. At City of Hope, research and patient care are closely connected. The institution’s national clinical trials network provides patients with access to emerging treatments, while researchers work to translate discoveries into therapies.
Importantly, innovation has an economic multiplier effect.
Research requires scientists, technicians, data specialists and other professionals. Clinical trials require administrative and support functions. New treatments require sophisticated equipment, technology and services. Partnerships with educational institutions and other organizations create additional opportunities for collaboration.
Over time, that ecosystem can help establish a community as a place where new ideas are developed, tested and brought to patients. For Lake County, that is an important distinction. Economic development is not only about attracting the next business. It is also about building the conditions that allow innovation-oriented industries to grow. Healthcare is one of those conditions.
City of Hope’s Investment in Lake County
Across its three Illinois locations, City of Hope offers three linear accelerators for radiation therapy, 11 oncology procedure suites, 55 infusion center bays, five oncology operating suites and 73 private oncology beds.
The center also provides access to nationally recognized programs, including the only comprehensive blood cancer program offering the full spectrum of stem cell transplants midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Its breast cancer program has earned Certified Quality Breast Cancer Center of Excellence™ recognition, placing it among fewer than 10 comprehensive programs nationally recognized at that level by the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers® Program.
Those capabilities make City of Hope an important healthcare resource for Chicagoland and southeast Wisconsin. But the institution’s relationship with the region goes beyond the walls of its cancer center.
In 2025, City of Hope participated in more than 475 outreach events and activities, providing education, expertise and volunteers while reaching more than 120,000 people. That community engagement is another form of economic development.
Healthy communities are stronger communities. Public education about cancer prevention and screening can help people make informed decisions about their health. Wellness and nutrition programs can give residents practical tools for healthier living. Community partnerships can connect institutions with organizations already working to improve quality of life.
Initiatives such as monthly wellness and nutrition workshops with interactive education and cooking demonstrations illustrate an important point: economic development is not only about buildings and balance sheets. It is also about whether a community is healthy, educated, connected and capable of supporting the people who live and work there.
Building a More Compassionate Community
Healthcare makes communities more compassionate. Cancer affects virtually every community, touching patients, spouses, children, parents, friends and coworkers. Having advanced cancer care nearby means that families can spend less time traveling for treatment and more time together.
City of Hope’s Cancer Fighters® network, with more than 18,000 members, reflects that broader understanding of cancer care: patients and caregivers need support in addition to medical treatment. Founded in 1990 by a group of patients seeking a way to support and learn from other cancer patients and caregivers, the nationwide community is dedicated to the idea that no one ever fights cancer alone.
In addition to leading-edge cancer treatment and technology, the hospital is focused on providing compassionate care. It is through both of these that, City of Hope Chicago has consistently delivered patient satisfaction scores exceeding 95%.
It is understandable that cancer diagnoses bring anxiety, which is why City of Hope Chicago focuses on providing compassionate care that takes out the administrative tasks for patients – this includes verifying insurance and scheduling appointments for patients. Also, speed to care is prioritized. The hospital’s access model includes appointments in as little as 24 hours, same-day diagnostics, rapid radiology results within 48 hours and pathology results in a week or less.
The Community Benefits of High-Quality Healthcare
“A culture of care can shape a community,” notes Zion Mayor Billy McKinney. “Lake County is stronger because people know their neighbors have access to exceptional healthcare. They also know that employers like City of Hope encourage their employees to volunteer and give back. City of Hope is another fine example of how Lake County has become one of the leading health care hubs in the country.”
For Zion and Lake County, the opportunity is not simply to have a great healthcare provider like City of Hope in the community. The opportunity is to build around it—to connect healthcare with education, workforce development, business attraction, innovation and quality of life. Fortunately for the community, City of Hope Chicago is a leader in forging these connections. To learn more about City of Hope Chicago, click here: https://www.cityofhope.org/locations/chicago